Modelling the Valuesphere by Cultural Theory

Chapter 2 claimed that many elements within life cycle assessment are, by their nature, subjective settings, i.e., value choices. It was stated that at the highest level at which disutility is to be measured are the safeguard subjects which themselves reflect a certain world view. This chapter explains the need for a model of the valuesphere, introduces a heuristic, and discusses its application within LCA. Section 3.1 highlights the problem at hand and specifies the requirements such a heuristic should fulfil. The chosen heuristic, called Cultural Theory, is introduced and discussed in Section 3.2. A short overview on other typologies is provided in Section 3.3 in order to position Cultural Theory. First, consequences of the use of Cultural Theory within LCA are highlighted in Section 3.4. Cultural Theory is not uncontroversial and is introduced here as just one useful heuristic and not as the key for the rationalisation of all subjective elements.