Converging Paradigms for a Co-evolutionary Environmental Limit Discourse

This paper argues that the static vision in ecological economics of a fundamental clash between a neo-classical self-interest perspective and limit discourse as de-ontological perspective is an ineffective route towards disseminating environmental values and consciousness. Following the Ego'n'Empathy idea as a fusion of both perspectives to refocus the paradigm of ecological economics, it is argued that this evolution may face intense resistance from entrenched positions. A conceptual exploration of the roots of such resistances is discussed and an alternative, but complimentary process that addresses the need for and process of a synthesis is proposed. As an exemplar of this argument, the Porter Hypothesis is discussed as a complimentary guiding framework of how ecological economics as an action oriented paradigm can increase its influence as a policy guide, in terms of achieving sustainable development within entrenched and confrontational policy contexts