Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Deconstructing the future - Kintsugi's metaphorical strength in Futures Thinking for Sustainability

Smeenk, Tara LU (2021) HEKM51 20211
Human Ecology
Abstract
The main challenge to future scenario construction is to help people see themselves as part
of a larger system in a way that empowers them rather than reinforces the belief they are
helpless. This thesis aims to overcome this challenge by investigating what can be learned
from the Japanese tradition of repair called Kintsugi and the underlying Wabi-Sabi
philosophy. Subsequently, the research explores how the lessons learned can strengthen
sustainability education. Future scenario construction is approached from a critical realist
perspective, which poses that the future is real but not yet determined and consists of a
multiplicity of possibilities. For the research, six in-depth interviews with kintsugi artists and
sustainability... (More)
The main challenge to future scenario construction is to help people see themselves as part
of a larger system in a way that empowers them rather than reinforces the belief they are
helpless. This thesis aims to overcome this challenge by investigating what can be learned
from the Japanese tradition of repair called Kintsugi and the underlying Wabi-Sabi
philosophy. Subsequently, the research explores how the lessons learned can strengthen
sustainability education. Future scenario construction is approached from a critical realist
perspective, which poses that the future is real but not yet determined and consists of a
multiplicity of possibilities. For the research, six in-depth interviews with kintsugi artists and
sustainability experts were performed. Theory and findings have been integrated with an
iterative process of grounded theory analysis. The main results include that futures thinking
should be a self-reflective exercise in which there is space for grief about the current
condition of our lives and the world. For resilient futures thinking, the historical value of
mistakes has to be recognized, and the option of self-delusion must be kindly dismissed.
The conclusion is that if we want to solve our issues, we need to deconstruct them, put them
back together, enjoy the process, and never forget it. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Smeenk, Tara LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM51 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Human Ecology, Critical Realism, Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, Futures Thinking, Resilience, Sustainability education
language
English
id
9044229
date added to LUP
2021-06-28 12:29:11
date last changed
2021-06-28 12:29:11
@misc{9044229,
  abstract     = {{The main challenge to future scenario construction is to help people see themselves as part
of a larger system in a way that empowers them rather than reinforces the belief they are
helpless. This thesis aims to overcome this challenge by investigating what can be learned
from the Japanese tradition of repair called Kintsugi and the underlying Wabi-Sabi
philosophy. Subsequently, the research explores how the lessons learned can strengthen
sustainability education. Future scenario construction is approached from a critical realist
perspective, which poses that the future is real but not yet determined and consists of a
multiplicity of possibilities. For the research, six in-depth interviews with kintsugi artists and
sustainability experts were performed. Theory and findings have been integrated with an
iterative process of grounded theory analysis. The main results include that futures thinking
should be a self-reflective exercise in which there is space for grief about the current
condition of our lives and the world. For resilient futures thinking, the historical value of
mistakes has to be recognized, and the option of self-delusion must be kindly dismissed.
The conclusion is that if we want to solve our issues, we need to deconstruct them, put them
back together, enjoy the process, and never forget it.}},
  author       = {{Smeenk, Tara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Deconstructing the future - Kintsugi's metaphorical strength in Futures Thinking for Sustainability}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}