<論文>アメニティとエコロジー : 「環境」概念の検討

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider the peculiarity and the power of the Japanese concept 'kankyou' in the universe of discourse. Compared with the English concept 'environment', the Japanese concept 'kankyou' involves more various connotations. The concept 'kankyou' includes not only Environmental pollution and Disruption of ecology but also Destruction of amenities. For example, the problem of conservation of historic landscapes and architectures in town has been discussed under the concept 'kankyou' in Japan. Construction of the concept 'kankyou' and the Japanese way of discussing environmental problems has been influenced by the movement against 'kougai', that is, environmental pollution in Japan. Main claims in that movement from 1950's to 1960's were compensation for damages to the health caused by pollution and control to pollution. The movement against 'kougai' was founded on humanism, anthropocentristic values. It presents a striking contrast to American environmental problems and movement. In terms of the beginning of American movement, We can go back to conservation movement against disruption of nature in 1890's. It was founded on romanticism which has anti-anthropocentristic drift. Anthropocentristic drift of the concept 'kankyou' has an affinity for the concept 'amenity' which means comfortableness to the human beings. That affinity relates Japanese environmental problems with the idea of creation of amenities drew from city planning. Environmental problems have become the center of public interest in Japan like Europe and America. Importance of how to construct or interpret the concept 'kankyou' and environmental problems has increased, because one who construct them to one's advantage may gain support of public sentiment. Variety of connotations included in the Japanese concept 'kankyou' makes competition for interpretation of it very complicated.