Davies, Todd;
Loghmani-Khouzani, Taha;
Fath, Brian D;
(2024)
"Solutions" are not the answer.
Frontiers in Sustainability
, 5
, Article 1509972. 10.3389/frsus.2024.1509972.
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Abstract
Academics and policy-makers often frame their work by defining “problems” and proposing “solutions.” While this approach is effective in closed systems, where problems can be clearly defined, we critique its application to open systems, where such clarity is not possible. We highlight how narrowly framed “solutions” can lead to unintended consequences and policy incoherence when applied to open systems, and advocate for a rhetorical shift from “problems and solutions” to “challenges and responses.” This reframing acknowledges the dialectical nature of interacting with open systems and encourages decision-makers to engage in a continuous and evolving praxis, where challenges are addressed iteratively, rather than problems being solved once and for all. We argue that this approach is more realistic, avoiding the pitfalls of short-term solutionism by promoting a more holistic and ongoing engagement with complex, open systems.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | "Solutions" are not the answer |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.3389/frsus.2024.1509972 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1509972 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. The images or other third-party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Keywords: | Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Green & Sustainable Science & Technology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, Science & Technology - Other Topics, Environmental Sciences & Ecology, solutions, polycrisis, climate change, wicked problems, infinite games, management |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10212185 |
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