On the Alternative Approach to Artifacts in Environmental Education

Abstract

show that Abstract This paper advocates developing an alternative path for encouraging environmentally responsible actions related to technical artifacts (useful, human-made objects). Environmental education can enhance the positive intrinsic motivation to care for and respect artifacts as unique individuals embedded in the network of functionality and not only because neglecting them may lead to an ecological catastrophe (negative intrinsic motivation) or because of external motivators, e.g. saving money (extrinsic motivation). Such a reinforcement of positive engagement with artifacts through environmental education may complement existing incentive strategies to behave in a pro-environmental manner. The paper concludes with suggestions for classroom activities targeted at undergraduate students for cultivating a revised understanding of everyday artifacts.