Document Type : Scientific-research
Author
professor
Abstract
“Development Means Building” is not a theory of development. Nor is it a critique of development theories. It is not even presenting any alternative development solutions. It is simply a reflection on the meaning of development from a theoretical-ontological perspective, considering the way human beings exist in this world and what can be interpreted as dwelling on earth. This reflection is inspired by the profound thoughts of the great contemporary sage Martin Heidegger, especially in the essay “Building Dwelling Thinking.” In what follows, we will first refer to some of the famous definitions of development from the book “Theories of Development” by Jan Nederveen Pieterse and show that development theories are based on the relationship of human dominance and control over nature and humans. This relationship and its ontological foundations are briefly reviewed. Then, the question is raised whether such a relationship is the true and authentic relationship of humans with beings, or whether their true relationship is another relationship. It is then explained that the relationship of dominance and control has endangered the existence of humans and nature, and therefore cannot be a true and authentic relationship. It is stated that the true relationship of humans with beings is a relationship of love, care, and protection. Development in the sense of building is based on this relationship, provided that we pay attention to the fact that building means fixing and adapting, and therefore has a relationship with truth, peace, and friendship, not with domination, control, and conquest.
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