How am I generating a living theory of environmental activism with inclusionality?

Abstract

This thesis is a self-study of my development as an environmental activist. I trace the generation of my living theory of environmental activism over a period of 37 years, working and researching within the cultural context of a 6th generation Tasmanian. The originality of the thesis lies in both its methodological inventiveness and original contribution to knowledge in explaining the development of an environmental activist through propositional, dialectic and inclusional phases of inquiry and understanding. Methodologically the thesis uses insights from ethnomethodology in a life history narrative that shows the importance of creative responses to both family relationships and scientific enquiry in growing through a dialectical process towards an inclusional self-awareness of oppressive colonising influences. The development of my 'activist' approaches and styles are described and analysed in terms of two transitional phases, firstly into a young scientist using detached, propositional methods of inquiry, then into environmental activism, using dialectical methods, prior to my on-going emergence into natural inclusional approaches. The analysis includes categories from traditional learning theories. In an analysis of my values and standards of judgement Living Theory is used to describe, analyse and discuss a series of 'Living Contradictions' leading to my unexpected appreciation of 'Natural Inclusional ways of knowing'. I see Natural Inclusionality as having possible future application in social activism. Natural Inclusional standards of judgement of environmental activism are used as a fluid creation to evaluate the quality of the thesis, including its contribution to living epistemologies and ontologies.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	English