IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v27y2025i6d10.1007_s10668-024-04470-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Rationality and the exploitation of natural resources: a psychobiological conceptual model for sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Andres Ruiz Serrano

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Andrea Musumeci

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Juan Julie Li

    (City University of Hong Kong)

  • Mauricio Ruiz Serrano

    (Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico)

  • Carolina Serrano Barquin

    (Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico)

Abstract

This article proposes a psychobiological conceptual model that incorporates the vulnerability and exhaustibility of the ecosystem into the notion of rational behavior. After providing a review of relevant literature in economics, psychology and sociology, we analyze the theoretical and practical limitations of economic rationality under conditions of climate devastation. By employing a logical consequence approach, we describe and broaden the cognitive process of rational choice to include the influence of externalities, institutions, markets, and the ecosystem. We propose two existing constructs as perceptual conditions restraining the rational exploitation of natural resources: restitution and substitution. These constructs are conditioned by the degree of the irreplaceability of materials. Under these premises, we purport that individuals act in a rational manner subject to the extent of restitution and substitution of resources, depending on their perception of economic, environmental, and social risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres Ruiz Serrano & Andrea Musumeci & Juan Julie Li & Mauricio Ruiz Serrano & Carolina Serrano Barquin, 2025. "Rationality and the exploitation of natural resources: a psychobiological conceptual model for sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(6), pages 13167-13189, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-024-04470-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-024-04470-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-024-04470-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-024-04470-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-024-04470-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.