Sustainability: from systems to emergence

Abstract

In 2010, Helena Bender and Kate Judith, both then based at The University of Melbourne, were given the task to 'define sustainability' for a theory chapter of a text book. Through regular conversations over two years they have challenged each other to open their understanding of the concept using a variety of conceptual tools. The journey forced them to engage with many questions: Is sustainability to be found at the level of individual actions, or does it require a top-down view? Must it be associated with values? How is sustainability related to democracy, utilitarianism and value ethics? And what does it have to do with risk? Join Kate and Helena in their conversation, and add your voices to the maelstrom.