ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Summary/Abstract: Ecological problems and ecological crisis are also the problems of social ecology as a social discipline. And, even though sociology has not dealt with ecological problems and ecological crisis, the intensive processes of industrialization, urbanization and modernization (not only within special discipline – of social ecology, but also generally) will “make” sociology seriously deal with ecological problems and ecological crisis as a crisis of Culture, Civilization and Life. In that sense, social ecology and sociology have completely indicated the limitedness of mechanic paradigm as a way of thinking and a model of life which have led to ecological problems and ecological crisis. That is why a holistic and not an anthropocentric ethics is necessary as a new culture which will question previously dominant economism not only in the process of production, but also in the system of thinking and the system of values. Since changes are an integral part of human history, the changes of paradigms are also necessary, in other words models and patterns of thought, opinions, convictions and understandings which are present in history. As scientific and technological achievements have a very powerful effect our life, it is clear that those effects must lead to changes of our paradigms and, as past changes have lead to great problems, including ecological ones, it is clear that the change of paradigm is also necessary which has lead to those problems. That is why we believe that it is necessary to indicate the significance of a different paradigm (holistic, bioethic and bio-ecological) which would secure a greater quality of life and sustainability of development of present and future generations.

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