From "Natural" to "Ecosocial Flourishing": Evaluating Evaluative Frameworks

Evaluative terms are a crucial part of the environmental discourse. These terms, and the evaluative frameworks in which they are imbedded, serve as important guides to action. "Natural," a term commonly used as a positive evaluation, is problematic because it can both justify unfair social relations and obscure the connections between humans and the rest of nature. "Sustainable," another popular term, is extremely malleable, and is too often elaborated in frameworks that are neither socially nor ecologically responsible. The term "sustainable" is sometimes used in the framework of ecosystem health, but even this approach can fail to highlight the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems. The framework of ecosocial flourishing, introduced in this article, is better suited for highlighting the interconnected nature of the world and for drawing attention to questions of environmental justice. Evaluative terms (like "natural") and frameworks (like "ecosocial flourishing") are part of larger narratives that help people make sense of their interactions with, and emotional responses to, the non-human world.