Situatedness in Landscape Sustainability. A Hermeneutical Approach
Situatedness in Landscape Sustainability. A Hermeneutical Approach

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I claim that some hermeneutical concepts developed by Hans-Georg Gada-mer might help us elaborate a philosophical understanding of landscape’s sustainability.In particular, the notion of “situatedness” as the intrinsic finitude of human beings locatedin a spatial-temporal context is conceived as a productive element by Gadamer. Afterhaving recalled the meaning of this notion in Gadamer’s thought, I will show how it canprovide a valuable contribution, firstly, to the critique of an idea of sustainability as a mere“musealization” of exceptional places, whose counterpart is the exploitation of placesconsidered aesthetically insignificant. Secondly, I will highlight the potentialities of situat-edness for the formulation of an approach that takes into account, on the one hand, therelationality that characterizes the relationship between humans and landscape in a waythat contrasts a dualistic conception, and, on the other hand, the radical historicity ofevery specific landscape as well as our approach to landscape that evolves throughouthistory. Against mere appropriation and, on the opposite, contemplation, the concept ofsituatedness may enable us to highlight an immersive and participatory approach tolandscapes, recalling the responsibility towards the places that we inhabit and visit.

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