Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 6.3
Applying Dryzek's rhetorical analysis
Basic Entities
Assumptions re
Relationships
Agency and
Motivation
Metaphors
and Rhetorical
Devices
Aborigines
Aborigines
with moral
responsibilities;
'nature';
Europeans
Aborigines in
tune with nature;
Europeans
destructive of
nature
Europeans in
pursuit of proi t;
Aborigines seek
to preserve land
Very l at as
largely spoken
for, that is,
mediated voice
Government
scientists
Responsible,
knowledgeable
and realistic
scientists,
ecosystems
Humans can
work with
nature within a
management/
scientii c
framework;
scientii c
justii cation
of traditional
practices
Ethos of
scientii c
rationality or
scientii cally
informed
managers
Fire as
'management
tool'; described
as 'patch
burning', a
'traditional'
practice;
'rejuvenation'
through burning;
having an
'evolutionary'
role; 'holocaust'
references
Pastoralists
Pastures as
'botanical
communities';
responsible and
irresponsible
individuals
Emphasis on
win- win
scenarios of
sustainable
development
Proi t can
promote
environmental
protection
'Stability',
'integrity';
religious and
emotive imagery
Wattle Hills
Humans as
part of nature
Nature knows
best
Non-
interventionist;
self- sui ciency
as route to
sustainability;
nature also has
agency
Farmland
as 'priceless
resource';
emotional tone;
use of Haiku
poetry; some
scientii c rhetoric
Independent
scientists
Humans and
nature as
separate
Scientii c
knowledge
reveals
relationships
Scientii c
rationality
legitimately
dominates;
scientists as
responsible;
humanity could
destroy nature
Scientii c
terminology
plus
emotional
language
