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Relating the Philosophy and Practice of Ecological Economics. The Role of Concepts, Models, and Case Studies in Inter- and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Baumgärtner

    (Centre for Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg)

  • Christian Becker

    (Research Centre for Environmental Economics, University of Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Karin Frank

    (Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research,Leipzig, Germany)

  • Birgit Müller

    (Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research,Leipzig, Germany)

  • Martin F. Quaas

    (Department of Ecological Modelling, UFZ-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle)

Abstract
We develop a comprehensive multi-level approach to ecological economics (CML-approach) which integrates philosophical considerations on the foundations of ecological economics with an adequate operationalization. We argue that the subject matter and aims of ecological economics require a specific combination of inter- and transdisciplinary research, and discuss the epistemological position on which this approach is based. In accordance with this understanding of inter- and transdisciplinarity and the underlying epistemological position, we develop an operationalization which comprises simultaneous analysis on three levels of abstraction: concepts, models and case studies. We explain these levels in detail, and, in particular, deduce our way of generic modeling in this context. Finally, we illustrate the CML-approach and demonstrate its fruitfulness by the example of the sustainable management of semi-arid rangelands.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Baumgärtner & Christian Becker & Karin Frank & Birgit Müller & Martin F. Quaas, 2008. "Relating the Philosophy and Practice of Ecological Economics. The Role of Concepts, Models, and Case Studies in Inter- and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research," Working Paper Series in Economics 75, University of Lüneburg, Institute of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:lue:wpaper:75
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

    ecological economics; interdisciplinarity; philosophy of science; transdisciplinarity;
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