Wilderness values: Perspectives from non-economic social science

Abstract

The concept of “values” is one of the most widely used to characterize the human dimensions of natural resources. Yet, clearly it means many different things in different disciplines and in everyday discourse. Background information regarding values from a non-economic social science perspective is provided, with an aim towards stretching the dominant economic paradigm for how value questions should be understood and to frame these questions in a way that is more suitable for what might be called, “post-utilitarian forestry.” This amounts to challenging the view that values are “fixed” and individually defined attitudes or preferences. It is suggested instead that values be seen as modes of thinking that differ among different communities, change and evolve as these different communities interact, and further, that such interaction drives the evolution of policy and management over time.

Parent Publication

• Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium

Citation

Williams, Daniel R.; Watson, Alan E. 2007. Wilderness values: Perspectives from non-economic social science. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 123-133