Integral research for sustainable development
„Integral research…“:
Specifically, related to and starting from the original level of science, "integral research"/"integral science" is an integrating form of research or scientific exchange, i.e. research/science that
(a) considers and understands the world (and everything that happens) – as an object of observation – as holistic interconnectedness (this thus concerns the perception of the world), as an interconnected whole ("everything is connected with everything else") and
(b) is characterized by inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary modes of research: It thus leaves behind separated perspectives and rather integrates the individual disciplinary approach to things into a holistic perspective and unites them.
When dealing with problems of (non-)sustainable development in our research, we give space to all perspectives, if possible, and look at the object of research with a view that integrates diverse perspectives (instead of mechanistically dissecting the object, i.e. analyzing it in an unconnected way).
The idea of an “integral ecology” can serve as an inspiration for an integral mode of research. Outside of a scientific context, the conception of an integral ecology has found a particularly powerful expression in Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato si'" published in June 2015.[1] It is often perceived as an original construction of the Pope, but it has many explicit as well as especially implicit roots beyond a spiritual or theological level. In this respect, the SRL at the KU does not see itself primarily as a theological or even Catholic project. Rather, the research forum offensively addresses especially the roots of the idea of an integral ecology from secular science in a sub-project.
An integral research approach stands for a careful, multidimensional perception of the world as an overall context. It seems suitable to "pacify"[2] the "power formation" of the scientific form of judgment (Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker) by applying a comprehensive scientific concept, in which the diversity of knowledge is not paradigmatically narrowed and "annihilated" (Feyerabend)[3]. The debate on environmental ethics and also the encyclical Laudato si' contain the idea of a “social environment"[4] that forbids "to regard nature as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it." (LS 139).
„...for sustainable development“
The SRL understands “sustainable development” as a comprehensive concept. It takes up the term sustainable development that is used from the Brundtland Report 1987 to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of our days as a marker of a sustainable way of life for humankind, which includes inter- and intragenerational justice.
"Integral research" is thus characterized by an integral mode and perspective that serve to advance sustainable development (at all levels).
Integral research for sustainable development characterizes and structures our research mode: The laboratory will support research for sustainable development in an integrative manner that can serve as a scientific contribution to safeguard a livable future for humankind.
Thus, the KU.SRL as a "think tank laboratory” creates the space for fundamental scientific reflection and for research that widens scientific understanding. The combination of different disciplines allows for a transfer into other scientific disciplinary cultures. This can also be expanded to view it as an opening to social and political inquiries. The challenge lies in a serious both inter- and transdisciplinary research dialog and practice. Here, disciplinary research is an important prerequisite. It must be given space and support, but it should not be self-sufficient.
It is therefore necessary to find proven and new formats of mutual exchange that fuel inter- and transdisciplinary research initiatives. Opening up to the respective other understanding will be indispensable in this process. This dialog needs local spaces, but also temporal spaces. It must be given the chance to grow.
[1] German text: https://www.dbk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/diverse_downloads/presse_2015/2015-06-18-Enzyklika-Laudato-si-DE.pdf.
[2] Please see: Von Weizsäcker, Carl Friedrich (1977): Der Garten des Menschlichen. Beiträge zu einer geschichtlichen Anthropologie, 2nd edition Munich: Hanser.
[3] Please see: Feyerabend, Paul (2005): Die Vernichtung der Vielfalt. Vienna: Passagen.
[4] Brandt, Manfred (2000): Von der Umwelt zur Mitwelt. Zur Fundierung eines neuen pädagogischen Paradigmas auf der Basis der Philosophie John Deweys. Frankfurt/Main: Peter Lang. (= Europäische Hochschulschriften, Bd. 11); Meyer-Abich, Klaus Michael (1988): Von der Umwelt Zur Mitwelt. Unterwegs zu einem neuen Selbstverständnis des Menschen im Ganzen der Natur. In: Scheidewege: Jahresschrift für skeptisches Denken, 18: 128-148.; Meyer-Abich, Klaus Michael (2007): Umwelt oder Mitwelt – Wie gehören wir in die Natur? In: BUSCH, Bernd (ed.): Jetzt ist die Landschaft ein Katalog voller Wörter: Beiträge zur Sprache der Ökologie. Göttingen: Wallstein, 17-23.; Steiner, Christian (2014): Pragmatismus, Umwelt, Raum. Potenziale des Pragmatismus für eine transdisziplinäre Geographie der Mitwelt. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner (= Erdkundliches Wissen, Bd. 155).