Environment; Multiple Concepts in Humanities

Abstract

Due to the fact that environmental issue is pervasive throughout the world and necessitates a global effort, the authors believe that this area has been neglected in academic research, especially in humanities, while it can significantly contribute to the production of knowledge. Hence, this article tries to offer some background knowledge about enviroment in human sciences. In order to achieve this goal and to become more meaningful, we have drawn upon views expressed by Ruth Wodak. In our belief, her views constitute a theory that stands on its own. She considers each concept as a background with varied functions. Wodak believes that each of these functions have their own genre in the framwork of language, to be used for reasoning. We considered environment as a background, and studied its functions in some human sciences. We also paid attention to reasoning resulted from these functions. Such a strategic approach can create a meaning system for environmental research in humanities. So, we first introduce Wodak’s theory and then present our envisioned concept and the functions of this concept and finally, put forward relevant arguments in the framework of environment.

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