Original scientific paper

ECOCENTRICAL APPROACH TO RURAL AREAS

Antun Šundalić

Abstract

Is eco‐centrism differentia specifica of the rural area nowadays? The author proceeds from the thesis that management of the rural area is closest to the eco‐centric orientation. Natural environment within the rural area is possible to be perceived as ʹa houseʹ, not as ʹan occupied sourceʹ, i.e. living according to the natural order in the rural area is ahead of the living oriented toward harsh market regularities.
In this paper the author analyzes to what extent is this thesis sustainable within the Croatian society, and to what extent is it suppressed by the anthropocentric domination of utilitarianism, consumerism and materialism. Also, through this a question is raised to what extent is ʹliving in accordance with natureʹ an orientation that reflects the demand of the age truly accepted in the fact of life, and on the other hand, to what extent is that the phrase one doesnʹt live up to. This dilemma could be tested precisely on the issue of the relation toward living in the rural area. To what extent is the rural
area managed by environmental paradigm, and to what extent by the industrial paradigm, is only the affirmation of the matter‐of‐factness of the eco‐centric orientation.

Keywords

eco‐centrism; rural area; countryside; agriculture; nature; industrial paradigm; environmental paradigm

Hrčak ID:

7549

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/7549

Publication date:

30.9.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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