ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the existing interpretations of sustainable development, evaluates their major limitations, and offers some suggestions to reach a comprehensive view on the concept. It explains the major categories of the conceptual interpretations falling under the human-centric, ecocentric, and dualist perspectives. These interpretations have their own limitations or drawbacks pointed out by various critics, which need to be examined in order to articulate a meaningful understanding of sustainable development. The chapter examines some of the major limits of existing concepts or interpretations. The concept of sustainable development should overcome the tendency to claim universal applicability and recognize contextual diversity. It is emphasized that as the importance of biodiversity, the idea of sociodiversity should be taken into account, multiple identities and values should be appreciated, and diverse political settings should be recognized in a new paradigm of sustainability.
