INSTRUMENTAL AND SPIRITUAL VIEWS OF PEOPLE-ENVIRONMENT RELATIONS

Three philosophical views of people-environment relations are examined. The minimalist view assumes that physical settings play a minor or negligible role in facilitating the goals and aspirations of their users. The instrumental perspective views physical settings as "tools" for supporting individual productivity and organizational effectiveness - as the physical means for achieving key behavioral and economic goals. In contrast to the instrumental view, much recent research reflects a spiritual orientation in which physical settings are viewed not as tools, but as ends in themselves - as contexts in which important human values can be cultivated. Key points of contention among these perspectives are discussed, including the growing tensions between technological development and questions of human value; contradictions between instrumental and symbolic functions of environments; and the trend toward standardization and modularized design as opposed to the quest for uniqueness and customization. In light of these issues, the prospects for people-environment studies during an era of accelerating change and complexity are assessed.