ABSTRACT

This chapter analyses the nature of knowledge and the need for, and characteristics of, articulating knowledges as part of scientific research on sustainable development. It discusses the different types of knowledge before ending with the identification of important questions that can help to define a scientific research agenda for the articulation of knowledges in research for sustainable development. Scientific research about complex, self-aware systems such as those typical of sustainable development issues have to deal with a compounding of complexity at different levels. All through history, developments in Western or formal science have created opportunities for inputs from indigenous, traditional, local or alternative knowledges. Grouping together all 'non-scientific' forms of knowledge uncritically into a single category and separating them from their context makes it nearly impossible to avoid oversimplification. People and scientists to participate in the joint workshops that are taking place in different countries is a desire to find ways to negotiate over fire management.