Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 22 Issue 5

© 2022. Susan G. Clark. This research/review article is distributed under the terms of the Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BYNCND 4.0). You must give appropriate credit to authors and reference this article if parts of the article are reproduced in any manner. Applicable licensing terms are at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research: H Environment & Earth Science Volume 22 Issue 5 Version 1.0 Year 2022 Type : Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Inc. (USA) Online ISSN: 2249-4626 & Print ISSN: 0975-5896 An Inquiry into “Convention”as a Problem and what we Might do About it? By Susan G. Clark Yale University Abstract- Adequately responding to our national and global deteriorating environmental and fragmenting social situation is a matter of increasing urgency. An obstacle to achieving a concerted response is the way that we have normalized “convention” or as some author’s claim “thoughtless convention.” I take on this obstacle (i.e., convention, thoughtlessness) as subject of this paper. Our current problems are typically framed, embodied, and emplaced from within convention using a “metaphysics of control and mastery or dominance” over the biophysical and social world. This approach can block what should count as our appropriate relationship (human dignity, “sustainability,” coexistence) with the world, including non-human life. Accepting convention (status quo), which is very widely accepted absolves us from thinking too deeply or looking at ourselves and our problems. This translates into the present social and political organization of our culture, problem solving heuristics, and academic curriculums. Keywords: convention, thoughtlessness, education, environment, social situation, integrated problem solving, leadership, social change, institutions, mass movements. GJSFR-H Classification: DDC Code: 170 LCC Code: B2766.E6 AnInquiryintoConventionasaProblemandwhatweMightdoAboutit Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of: