사회시스템 이론을 통한 환경윤리 담론 고찰 ― 논리는 시스템을 이길 수 없다 ―

Abstract

In this paper, I have tried to argue the validity of the proposition that ‘logic cannot defeat systems’. Here, logic refers to environmental ethics and system refers to social systems. Environmental ethics is targeted at ecocentric environmental ethics, which aims for alternative values that have not been accepted in modern society. If the above proposition is valid, it means that environmental ethics can be a necessary but not sufficient condition for alternative values for the natural environment to be recognized by society. To discuss this, I first clarify the meaning of environmental ethics as a logic. Then, I reviewed the reasons why society can be assumed to be a social system, and discussed the social system models and its main contents as an outline of a social system, and examined the characteristics of a social system to identify the grounds on which alternative values cannot be accepted simply because they are logical. This paper examined the purposefulness, closure, and illogicality of social systems as features of social systems. In conclusion, I suggested that logic may be a necessary but not sufficient condition due to the features of social systems, and that this proposition can explain why environmental ethics, environmental education, sustainable development, and related theories are not sufficiently accepted by society even though environmental problems are becoming more serious. On the other hand, since social systems theory also implies a theory of social change, it is suggested that further research is needed as it can provide implications for overcoming current environmental problems and pursuing a sustainable society.