Engaged in professional and voluntary leadership roles based on his diverse career at senior levels in academia and the private sector in tens of countries. An international figure in research and education for agricultural development in poor countries and Australia, he is also known as an author, innovator and educational entrepreneur. Awarded three doctorates: Ph.D., higher doctorate (D.Agr.Sc.) and an honorary Doctorate, he is current a Commissioner for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and until 2021 he was: Chair of the Board of the International Livestock Research Institute, the world’s premier livestock research organisation for developing nations and one of the CGIAR green revolution centres. He also assists the international Ph.D. program of Thaksin University in southern Thailand among other voluntary roles including Kilmore District Health. For nine years to 2018 he was Director of Hassad Australia Pty Ltd, a Qatari investment in Australia as the largest sheep and grain producer, and previously he was Dean of the (now) Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences and Chair of Agriculture. He was awarded Professor Emeritus status in the University of Melbourne, and holds honorary appointments at two Thai universities. Earlier he was CEO of the professional consulting groups MPW Rural Development Pty Ltd and Coffey-MPW Ltd for 13 years. Among his other interests, he has led or been part of more than 100 international advisory assignments for all major development agencies, founded private language colleges in three countries and published some 20 books and 100s of papers on subjects integrating science, agriculture, philosophy and religion. BOOKS & BIO: https://sites.google.com/view/lindsay-falvey/home
3-minute introduction to the book, "Agriculture & Philosophy" including scroll of Table of Conten... more 3-minute introduction to the book, "Agriculture & Philosophy" including scroll of Table of Contents and means of accessing free-of-charge online.
STEM remains a foundation of agricultural and food science education and research. Today it relie... more STEM remains a foundation of agricultural and food science education and research. Today it relies more than ever on efficient coordination between scientific organisations. Perhaps the best Australian example is the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAFI) in Queensland. Other states have various approaches and in the case of the major production and exporting state of Victoria, more advanced coordination is needed between its four providers - namely LaTrobe University and The University of Melbourne, the state government department and CSIRO’s food research. Coordination of programs and capacity-building in these institutions is ripe for enhancement through a Victorian agriculture and food precinct initiative.
Across that time ILRI’s governance evolved from being strongly influenced by the ‘informal associ... more Across that time ILRI’s governance evolved from being strongly influenced by the ‘informal association’ of CGIAR to the ILRI Board assuming greater responsibility as ILRI grew to source the majority of its own funds. At the same time, the ILRI Board was subject to successive attempts to build a unified CGIAR System with increased overheads that potentially conflicted with ILRI’s charter. Such Centre charters have underpinned the resilience of the CGIAR System, which led a recent analysis to conclude that one “option would be to give up the struggle to build a System, dismantle all current System structures, and let the existing centers operate in the market. The best centers would likely survive and even flourish ... ”.191 That remains a valid option but one that will not yet be tested since the current reorganisation is still in its infancy. With benefit of five decades’ experience, the reorganisation has distinct advantages over its predecessors if it learns from those lessons. One lesson is that international agricultural research benefits from flexible and skilled management with a high degree of autonomy close to researchers that is overseen and protected from unproductive whims by experienced governance of the research institution.
Governance has different meanings to different people. Derived from the Greek verb ‘to steer’, go... more Governance has different meanings to different people. Derived from the Greek verb ‘to steer’, governance in the sense used in this work came into popular usage from the 1990s – a factor that from today’s perspective is important in understanding what may appear as dilettante attitudes to the processes of decision-making, accountability and control within CGIAR across its early decades. For example, in those early decades, Centre Boards met only once per year and otherwise relied on mail and telex for communication; they were mainly concerned with the research portfolio and periodically with the appointment of the Director- General. Through that earlier period governance for parties from national governments and international bodies meant a mix of politics and administration while those from the corporate sector of most OECD countries saw governance as referring to the Board as the ultimate body of a legally constituted organisation. In the CGIAR Centres the contrast has become particularly apparent in recent years as some Centre Boards increasingly assumed a corporate governance approach in response to their Centre’s complexities of funding, accountability, compliance and strategic direction. At the same time, public sector parties sought to retain influence in these areas of governance. In this work, the term ‘governance’ is consistently employed in its more recent sense in order to make the historical perspective more useful to future governance, as well to management and administration.
Integrating all useful knowledge under philosophy includes cross- disciplinary research, commonal... more Integrating all useful knowledge under philosophy includes cross- disciplinary research, commonalities of Eastern and Western insights and an historical perspective that contextualizes ancient myths and traditional knowledge. This integrated approach provides the context for ancient practices in agriculture that have proved sustainable across centuries, even if they are disappearing in the face of modernization. Most commonalities are glossed over glibly, although some are denigrated such as blanket dismissal of animism by theology, and theology by academic philosophy. Likewise within agricultural science, modern approaches dismiss traditional systems of irrigation, seasonal forecasts and the like that rely on empiricism. Modern empirical approaches offer real benefits in reducing inherent biases, but it would be foolish to believe that all can be explained from simple controlled comparisons or that humans can ‘control’ nature. This is clear when it is seen that the unwanted contingencies of applying the results of such research become a prime source for subsequent research. We should all acknowledge this dynamism – but we should not see it as wholly negative. It might be better conceived as humans working as part of an overall system and moving closer to natural processes.
The fracturing of philosophy, including its component science, into disciplinary specialities as ... more The fracturing of philosophy, including its component science, into disciplinary specialities as discussed throughout the preceding chapters is usually justified by the great intellectual investment that each speciality demands. Separation leads to each discipline developing its own jargon, which traps specialists into conversing mainly within their own kind. Cross-disciplinary attempts to resolve the ‘silo’ problem do not address the matter beyond a general level. Following the thesis of this work, this chapter assembles information from the discussion to praise the role of those who integrate knowledge, and to thereby position agricultural science within philosophy, where it shares the overall objective of enhancing wellbeing.
The advances of the Enlightenment introduced in Chapter 8 allowed science to emerge from natural ... more The advances of the Enlightenment introduced in Chapter 8 allowed science to emerge from natural philosophy. Since then science has continued to develop as it moved further away from academic philosophy, which itself was to become more distant from religion. Separation of these major knowledge groupings led to confused understanding, as illustrated in the previous chapter for some ethical matters. It has also meant that the integrated approach to philosophy of earlier times, and as advocated in this work, has been relegated a subordinate role in philosophy and its science. The agricultural advances of the Enlightenment and its product, agricultural science as applied philosophy, continued in universities as an integrated field that drew from both the humanities and the sciences. However, the relatively lower level of integration of historical and cultural knowledge in agricultural science led some to consider it to be merely a technological science; medicine was to suffer a similar fate. This chapter brings together these and other elements that form part of the integrated whole that makes up philosophy, beginning with the transition from the Enlightenment and its continuing legacy.
Western philosophy, like others, developed from an intimate connection with agriculture and even ... more Western philosophy, like others, developed from an intimate connection with agriculture and even spawned its own versions of agricultural philosophy as described in the previous chapter. This connection originates from the most basic of human needs for secure food supply, which continues to characterize one of our most integrated relationships within nature. Unfortunately, the separation of disciplines that arose as philosophy became more complex has allowed it to be reduced to an academic interest that does not always comprehend its scientific components. As one of the most integrated of the applied sciences, agricultural science likewise continues to struggle to maintain links to a wider philosophical understanding and its essential history. Following the thesis of this work that this artificial separation within the search for knowledge and wellbeing fractures the original intention of philosophy, the applied philosophy of ethics is discussed further
The Enlightenment and its advances in agricultural knowledge have been introduced in the previous... more The Enlightenment and its advances in agricultural knowledge have been introduced in the previous chapter. As part of that general explosion of learning, the observation by Hume that “reason is ... the slave of the passions”,631 serves to explain some alternative understanding about nature that has been adopted within a religious context. A specific example of this form of philosophy – hailed by its advocates as agricultural philosophy – is that otherwise known as agrarianism, which is the subject of this chapter. As a Western approach it has been adopted within a Christian context as an attempt to integrate intellectual, emotional and biblical aspects of agriculture. Noble in intention, its occasional tendency to literal interpretation of scriptures places limits on its widespread utility. Nevertheless, it provides a further useful philosophical conception of agriculture as a human interaction within nature.
As the western and eastern parts of what was the Roman Empire separated, the Latin language used ... more As the western and eastern parts of what was the Roman Empire separated, the Latin language used by the less-Hellenised Europeans of the West became the language base of its Western European realms. The Byzantine Empire arose to assume the eastern Roman Empire and continued the use of Greek language. These changes influenced thought related to philosophy and agriculture, which in the West emerged slowly through monasteries over more than a millennium. Meanwhile, as introduced in the previous chapter, Arabic scholarship built on the legacy of Rome and Persia and made advances in irrigation that spread with their rule of Spain. From Spain and southern France, more of the ancient world’s learning was reintroduced through the Arabic al- Andalus Empire to Western Europe and served as a fillip to the Enlightenment, which is described in this essay as leading to the emergence of modern agricultural science.
The role of agriculture within philosophy pervades myth and religion across all traditions as int... more The role of agriculture within philosophy pervades myth and religion across all traditions as introduced in the preceding chapters. Myth, religion and Eastern philosophies have each influenced Western philosophy at some stage in its evolution, and today continue to provide a means of clarifying the higher aspiration of philosophy. A summary timeline of some influences is presented at Figure 12. This chapter and the next take this a step further by considering historical elements and ideas referenced in the Western tradition across 5,000 years. In this chapter, examples related to agriculture and its science from Mesopotamia to 17th century Europe are introduced.
In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous ch... more In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous chapter, the realms of myth, legend and folklore have also informed philosophy for millennia-and continue to do so. Accordingly, the utility of myths and legend, their commonalities across cultures and their agricultural content warrant consideration in this embracing examination of agriculture within philosophy. In addition to the myths and legends that folklore builds on, folklore can also represent an agglomeration of experience packaged for ready communication of a culture's applied philosophy. This chapter therefore introduces aspects of myth, legend and folklore, and also examines the story of Aeneas as an example of a myth that has persisted in Western culture.
Eastern philosophy can be dated from 5,000 years ago and has produced several major schools and t... more Eastern philosophy can be dated from 5,000 years ago and has produced several major schools and traditions that have often influenced Western philosophy. The earliest contact dates were the era of myth and legend, such as introduced in the previous chapter. In historical terms, Eastern and Western thought have informed each other in agriculture and understanding since at least the time of ancient Greece. More recently, the Aristotelian thinking from which much of the West’s Enlightenment is developed was derived from an interpretation of Averröes’ commentary in the Islamic philosophic tradition. With the West’s recent secular policies, both non-Aristotelian and religious knowledge have been somewhat devalued while at the same time non-Western traditions have maintained the integral role of religion in philosophy. Some Eastern traditions continue to embed social philosophies in religions that cannot be separated from governance. The approach seems anathema to many schooled only in the Western tradition, and can cause misunderstanding of such traditions as Islam. The broad consideration of philosophy of this work considers such divisions to be antithetic to the ‘love of wisdom’ through ‘systematic investigation to inform one’s conduct of life’ that defines philosophy. Accordingly this chapter introduces Eastern philosophy and in particular its links to agriculture.
In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous ch... more In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous chapter, the realms of myth, legend and folklore have also informed philosophy for millennia-and continue to do so. Accordingly, the utility of myths and legend, their commonalities across cultures and their agricultural content warrant consideration in this embracing examination of agriculture within philosophy. In addition to the myths and legends that folklore builds on, folklore can also represent an agglomeration of experience packaged for ready communication of a culture's applied philosophy. This chapter therefore introduces aspects of myth, legend and folklore, and also examines the story of Aeneas as an example of a myth that has persisted in Western culture.
The integrity of history, philosophy and agricultural science has been introduced in previous cha... more The integrity of history, philosophy and agricultural science has been introduced in previous chapters that have emphasized the complexity underlying all such deliberations across millennia. Knowledge about our complex interactions within nature has been carried forward through myth and stories, as considered in the following chapter, and further philosophical development has also been brought to us through religion. In discussing the perennial desire for sustainability from agricultural and religious perspectives in a previous book,172 I observed that “religion is perhaps our most powerful expression of culture and nowhere is it more obviously expressed than in our relationships with nature”. That work noted the pervasive use of agriculture in religious metaphors and traced philosophical and religious aspects of sustainability in agriculture from primeval motivations to their modern expressions. There is no need to paraphrase that work here; however, it is important in this chapter to further elaborate the criticality of cultural context in philosophy and agriculture, which necessarily begins with one’s own culture.
Agriculture and philosophy have been integrally linked since before human history. If that link i... more Agriculture and philosophy have been integrally linked since before human history. If that link is not evident today, it might be seen as a sign of the success of agriculture in sustaining civilizations that have developed philosophy. The association may be even deeper according to the hypothesis that agriculture, after dubious beginnings, eventually improved health and wellbeing that in turn fostered broader intellectual thought. Before and in parallel with such developments, diverse cultural speculations about the place of humans in the world produced the foundations of philosophy in myth and legend. Some of the longer lasting forms of such philosophy were codified into religions as theology, which almost universally has relied on agricultural examples to illustrate abstract and esoteric concepts. As the quest for knowledge that enhances human wellbeing and contentment, philosophy has also relied on agriculture and science to feed growing cities – questions around which are entertained
The thesis pursued in this work is that agriculture and in particular agricultural science cannot... more The thesis pursued in this work is that agriculture and in particular agricultural science cannot be properly understood separate from philosophy, and vice versa. Many in these fields may challenge the thesis, yet the project is justified by today’s complacent assumption of food security, and the marginalization of philosophy in modern society. The thesis is developed by taking a broad definition of philosophy that embraces all knowledge in its quest to improve wellbeing and contentment. In its wide canvas it therefore considers folklore that may predate written works, religious writings that share the philosophical objective for much of history, and what is today called science and was once more aptly known as natural philosophy.
3-minute introduction to the book, "Agriculture & Philosophy" including scroll of Table of Conten... more 3-minute introduction to the book, "Agriculture & Philosophy" including scroll of Table of Contents and means of accessing free-of-charge online.
STEM remains a foundation of agricultural and food science education and research. Today it relie... more STEM remains a foundation of agricultural and food science education and research. Today it relies more than ever on efficient coordination between scientific organisations. Perhaps the best Australian example is the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAFI) in Queensland. Other states have various approaches and in the case of the major production and exporting state of Victoria, more advanced coordination is needed between its four providers - namely LaTrobe University and The University of Melbourne, the state government department and CSIRO’s food research. Coordination of programs and capacity-building in these institutions is ripe for enhancement through a Victorian agriculture and food precinct initiative.
Across that time ILRI’s governance evolved from being strongly influenced by the ‘informal associ... more Across that time ILRI’s governance evolved from being strongly influenced by the ‘informal association’ of CGIAR to the ILRI Board assuming greater responsibility as ILRI grew to source the majority of its own funds. At the same time, the ILRI Board was subject to successive attempts to build a unified CGIAR System with increased overheads that potentially conflicted with ILRI’s charter. Such Centre charters have underpinned the resilience of the CGIAR System, which led a recent analysis to conclude that one “option would be to give up the struggle to build a System, dismantle all current System structures, and let the existing centers operate in the market. The best centers would likely survive and even flourish ... ”.191 That remains a valid option but one that will not yet be tested since the current reorganisation is still in its infancy. With benefit of five decades’ experience, the reorganisation has distinct advantages over its predecessors if it learns from those lessons. One lesson is that international agricultural research benefits from flexible and skilled management with a high degree of autonomy close to researchers that is overseen and protected from unproductive whims by experienced governance of the research institution.
Governance has different meanings to different people. Derived from the Greek verb ‘to steer’, go... more Governance has different meanings to different people. Derived from the Greek verb ‘to steer’, governance in the sense used in this work came into popular usage from the 1990s – a factor that from today’s perspective is important in understanding what may appear as dilettante attitudes to the processes of decision-making, accountability and control within CGIAR across its early decades. For example, in those early decades, Centre Boards met only once per year and otherwise relied on mail and telex for communication; they were mainly concerned with the research portfolio and periodically with the appointment of the Director- General. Through that earlier period governance for parties from national governments and international bodies meant a mix of politics and administration while those from the corporate sector of most OECD countries saw governance as referring to the Board as the ultimate body of a legally constituted organisation. In the CGIAR Centres the contrast has become particularly apparent in recent years as some Centre Boards increasingly assumed a corporate governance approach in response to their Centre’s complexities of funding, accountability, compliance and strategic direction. At the same time, public sector parties sought to retain influence in these areas of governance. In this work, the term ‘governance’ is consistently employed in its more recent sense in order to make the historical perspective more useful to future governance, as well to management and administration.
Integrating all useful knowledge under philosophy includes cross- disciplinary research, commonal... more Integrating all useful knowledge under philosophy includes cross- disciplinary research, commonalities of Eastern and Western insights and an historical perspective that contextualizes ancient myths and traditional knowledge. This integrated approach provides the context for ancient practices in agriculture that have proved sustainable across centuries, even if they are disappearing in the face of modernization. Most commonalities are glossed over glibly, although some are denigrated such as blanket dismissal of animism by theology, and theology by academic philosophy. Likewise within agricultural science, modern approaches dismiss traditional systems of irrigation, seasonal forecasts and the like that rely on empiricism. Modern empirical approaches offer real benefits in reducing inherent biases, but it would be foolish to believe that all can be explained from simple controlled comparisons or that humans can ‘control’ nature. This is clear when it is seen that the unwanted contingencies of applying the results of such research become a prime source for subsequent research. We should all acknowledge this dynamism – but we should not see it as wholly negative. It might be better conceived as humans working as part of an overall system and moving closer to natural processes.
The fracturing of philosophy, including its component science, into disciplinary specialities as ... more The fracturing of philosophy, including its component science, into disciplinary specialities as discussed throughout the preceding chapters is usually justified by the great intellectual investment that each speciality demands. Separation leads to each discipline developing its own jargon, which traps specialists into conversing mainly within their own kind. Cross-disciplinary attempts to resolve the ‘silo’ problem do not address the matter beyond a general level. Following the thesis of this work, this chapter assembles information from the discussion to praise the role of those who integrate knowledge, and to thereby position agricultural science within philosophy, where it shares the overall objective of enhancing wellbeing.
The advances of the Enlightenment introduced in Chapter 8 allowed science to emerge from natural ... more The advances of the Enlightenment introduced in Chapter 8 allowed science to emerge from natural philosophy. Since then science has continued to develop as it moved further away from academic philosophy, which itself was to become more distant from religion. Separation of these major knowledge groupings led to confused understanding, as illustrated in the previous chapter for some ethical matters. It has also meant that the integrated approach to philosophy of earlier times, and as advocated in this work, has been relegated a subordinate role in philosophy and its science. The agricultural advances of the Enlightenment and its product, agricultural science as applied philosophy, continued in universities as an integrated field that drew from both the humanities and the sciences. However, the relatively lower level of integration of historical and cultural knowledge in agricultural science led some to consider it to be merely a technological science; medicine was to suffer a similar fate. This chapter brings together these and other elements that form part of the integrated whole that makes up philosophy, beginning with the transition from the Enlightenment and its continuing legacy.
Western philosophy, like others, developed from an intimate connection with agriculture and even ... more Western philosophy, like others, developed from an intimate connection with agriculture and even spawned its own versions of agricultural philosophy as described in the previous chapter. This connection originates from the most basic of human needs for secure food supply, which continues to characterize one of our most integrated relationships within nature. Unfortunately, the separation of disciplines that arose as philosophy became more complex has allowed it to be reduced to an academic interest that does not always comprehend its scientific components. As one of the most integrated of the applied sciences, agricultural science likewise continues to struggle to maintain links to a wider philosophical understanding and its essential history. Following the thesis of this work that this artificial separation within the search for knowledge and wellbeing fractures the original intention of philosophy, the applied philosophy of ethics is discussed further
The Enlightenment and its advances in agricultural knowledge have been introduced in the previous... more The Enlightenment and its advances in agricultural knowledge have been introduced in the previous chapter. As part of that general explosion of learning, the observation by Hume that “reason is ... the slave of the passions”,631 serves to explain some alternative understanding about nature that has been adopted within a religious context. A specific example of this form of philosophy – hailed by its advocates as agricultural philosophy – is that otherwise known as agrarianism, which is the subject of this chapter. As a Western approach it has been adopted within a Christian context as an attempt to integrate intellectual, emotional and biblical aspects of agriculture. Noble in intention, its occasional tendency to literal interpretation of scriptures places limits on its widespread utility. Nevertheless, it provides a further useful philosophical conception of agriculture as a human interaction within nature.
As the western and eastern parts of what was the Roman Empire separated, the Latin language used ... more As the western and eastern parts of what was the Roman Empire separated, the Latin language used by the less-Hellenised Europeans of the West became the language base of its Western European realms. The Byzantine Empire arose to assume the eastern Roman Empire and continued the use of Greek language. These changes influenced thought related to philosophy and agriculture, which in the West emerged slowly through monasteries over more than a millennium. Meanwhile, as introduced in the previous chapter, Arabic scholarship built on the legacy of Rome and Persia and made advances in irrigation that spread with their rule of Spain. From Spain and southern France, more of the ancient world’s learning was reintroduced through the Arabic al- Andalus Empire to Western Europe and served as a fillip to the Enlightenment, which is described in this essay as leading to the emergence of modern agricultural science.
The role of agriculture within philosophy pervades myth and religion across all traditions as int... more The role of agriculture within philosophy pervades myth and religion across all traditions as introduced in the preceding chapters. Myth, religion and Eastern philosophies have each influenced Western philosophy at some stage in its evolution, and today continue to provide a means of clarifying the higher aspiration of philosophy. A summary timeline of some influences is presented at Figure 12. This chapter and the next take this a step further by considering historical elements and ideas referenced in the Western tradition across 5,000 years. In this chapter, examples related to agriculture and its science from Mesopotamia to 17th century Europe are introduced.
In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous ch... more In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous chapter, the realms of myth, legend and folklore have also informed philosophy for millennia-and continue to do so. Accordingly, the utility of myths and legend, their commonalities across cultures and their agricultural content warrant consideration in this embracing examination of agriculture within philosophy. In addition to the myths and legends that folklore builds on, folklore can also represent an agglomeration of experience packaged for ready communication of a culture's applied philosophy. This chapter therefore introduces aspects of myth, legend and folklore, and also examines the story of Aeneas as an example of a myth that has persisted in Western culture.
Eastern philosophy can be dated from 5,000 years ago and has produced several major schools and t... more Eastern philosophy can be dated from 5,000 years ago and has produced several major schools and traditions that have often influenced Western philosophy. The earliest contact dates were the era of myth and legend, such as introduced in the previous chapter. In historical terms, Eastern and Western thought have informed each other in agriculture and understanding since at least the time of ancient Greece. More recently, the Aristotelian thinking from which much of the West’s Enlightenment is developed was derived from an interpretation of Averröes’ commentary in the Islamic philosophic tradition. With the West’s recent secular policies, both non-Aristotelian and religious knowledge have been somewhat devalued while at the same time non-Western traditions have maintained the integral role of religion in philosophy. Some Eastern traditions continue to embed social philosophies in religions that cannot be separated from governance. The approach seems anathema to many schooled only in the Western tradition, and can cause misunderstanding of such traditions as Islam. The broad consideration of philosophy of this work considers such divisions to be antithetic to the ‘love of wisdom’ through ‘systematic investigation to inform one’s conduct of life’ that defines philosophy. Accordingly this chapter introduces Eastern philosophy and in particular its links to agriculture.
In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous ch... more In addition to religion being a major carrier of early philosophy as described in the previous chapter, the realms of myth, legend and folklore have also informed philosophy for millennia-and continue to do so. Accordingly, the utility of myths and legend, their commonalities across cultures and their agricultural content warrant consideration in this embracing examination of agriculture within philosophy. In addition to the myths and legends that folklore builds on, folklore can also represent an agglomeration of experience packaged for ready communication of a culture's applied philosophy. This chapter therefore introduces aspects of myth, legend and folklore, and also examines the story of Aeneas as an example of a myth that has persisted in Western culture.
The integrity of history, philosophy and agricultural science has been introduced in previous cha... more The integrity of history, philosophy and agricultural science has been introduced in previous chapters that have emphasized the complexity underlying all such deliberations across millennia. Knowledge about our complex interactions within nature has been carried forward through myth and stories, as considered in the following chapter, and further philosophical development has also been brought to us through religion. In discussing the perennial desire for sustainability from agricultural and religious perspectives in a previous book,172 I observed that “religion is perhaps our most powerful expression of culture and nowhere is it more obviously expressed than in our relationships with nature”. That work noted the pervasive use of agriculture in religious metaphors and traced philosophical and religious aspects of sustainability in agriculture from primeval motivations to their modern expressions. There is no need to paraphrase that work here; however, it is important in this chapter to further elaborate the criticality of cultural context in philosophy and agriculture, which necessarily begins with one’s own culture.
Agriculture and philosophy have been integrally linked since before human history. If that link i... more Agriculture and philosophy have been integrally linked since before human history. If that link is not evident today, it might be seen as a sign of the success of agriculture in sustaining civilizations that have developed philosophy. The association may be even deeper according to the hypothesis that agriculture, after dubious beginnings, eventually improved health and wellbeing that in turn fostered broader intellectual thought. Before and in parallel with such developments, diverse cultural speculations about the place of humans in the world produced the foundations of philosophy in myth and legend. Some of the longer lasting forms of such philosophy were codified into religions as theology, which almost universally has relied on agricultural examples to illustrate abstract and esoteric concepts. As the quest for knowledge that enhances human wellbeing and contentment, philosophy has also relied on agriculture and science to feed growing cities – questions around which are entertained
The thesis pursued in this work is that agriculture and in particular agricultural science cannot... more The thesis pursued in this work is that agriculture and in particular agricultural science cannot be properly understood separate from philosophy, and vice versa. Many in these fields may challenge the thesis, yet the project is justified by today’s complacent assumption of food security, and the marginalization of philosophy in modern society. The thesis is developed by taking a broad definition of philosophy that embraces all knowledge in its quest to improve wellbeing and contentment. In its wide canvas it therefore considers folklore that may predate written works, religious writings that share the philosophical objective for much of history, and what is today called science and was once more aptly known as natural philosophy.
In introducing the overall theme of agricultural science within philosophy, this chapter traverse... more In introducing the overall theme of agricultural science within philosophy, this chapter traverses the invention of agriculture and its knowledge as part of wider learning, which is embraced under the term philosophy. An historical overview oriented to the Western tradition traces the roots of civilization in secure food production, sound governance and trade, and notes that cultures decline when either of the first two matters are neglected. Modern successes of applied philosophy that feed and provide comfort to billions more than ever before are contrasted with neglect of civil traditions that may distract the continuous effort to understand the natural processes for food production. Located within the expanding philosophical knowledge across all fields, agricultural scientists are posited to rely on philosophers, and philosophers on agricultural scientists – and for each to recognize they are part of the other.
This is an extract from miscellaneous memories, published here in lieu of burdening readers of th... more This is an extract from miscellaneous memories, published here in lieu of burdening readers of the biography of Derek Tribe with biased, superfluous and excessive personal instances. That book, in my opinion, adequately draws out most of Derek's traits through anecdotes and opinions of others, which relieved me from the futility of trying to be objective about my own interactions with Derek. Nevertheless, a couple of my anecdotes found their way into that biography – but very many did not, and some of those are mentioned below, albeit not from the perspective of writing with Derek as the central focus. Derek proffered usually unsolicited advice through decades of my opportunistic career from the 1970s – becoming particularly influential from the mid 1980s which these aging images depict. This included both formal and informal roles, ranging from joint consultancies, to his being a member of the MPW Australia Consultative Group when I was that company's Managing Director, to detailed counselling in the operations of the academic mind while I considered an offer to join the University of Melbourne. Prior to his untimely death, he was making regular visits to my University office bequeathing his professional library on international development and animal science. From these perspectives my initial motivation in compiling a biography may be seen as repaying a 'debt of honour' in the manner described by Michael Foot in his 'Debts of Honour' [London: Picador, 1980]. Thus I was not an unconcerned chronicler in that case. Nevertheless, I tried to be objective and I canvassed widely.
As Thailand rose with the world order since WWII, its reputation in the international agricultura... more As Thailand rose with the world order since WWII, its reputation in the international agricultural sciences owed much to one person. Charan Chantalakhana was the man for the times. As the Vietnam conflict stimulated massive US influence in Thailand, benign stars aligned to build on Charan's remote Siamese origins and guide him through a leading US university. This biography includes his pioneering Kasetsart University work in animal science research and his leadership in Thai universities, his role in the peak international research body the CGIAR and in the International Livestock Research Institute, and some of his many accolades. Perhaps of even greater human interest, Falvey's work also traces Charan's inspirational life from Siam's obscure Deep South, through his early truancy years before shepherded by mentors until he himself became an outstanding mentor for Southeast Asia and the global advocate for smallholder farmers.
This book takes the apparent declining emphasis on agricultural education as an indicator of need... more This book takes the apparent declining emphasis on agricultural education as an indicator of need for change. It suggests that the increasing separation of urban populations from food production has partly fueled interest in greater environmental care, and that agricultural education should embrace this public viewpoint in order to command respect and funding. The benefits which accrue from education are assumed on the basis of investigations in less developed countries which indicate that GDP growth is higher where education is emphasized even where significant policy distortions work against economic growth.
This review analysed AIDAB 's experience in the livestock sector. It also examined the performanc... more This review analysed AIDAB 's experience in the livestock sector. It also examined the performance of some other donors and evaluated Australia's comparative advantages in providing assistance. Areas of potential commercial benefits to Australia were also assessed. AIDAB's contributions to bilateral livestock development programs averaged $16 million per year over the ten years to 1985-86. Activities concentrated mainly in the Asian and Pacific regions. The majority of projects were aimed at improving the social and economic situation of smallholders. Other projects strengthened government research and service institutions and developed processing industries.
A revised version without overlapping information and tables.
The work is historical insofar as i... more A revised version without overlapping information and tables. The work is historical insofar as it documented aspects of the creation of the Institute of Land and Food Resources on 1 July 1997 as a landmark in the history of agricultural, food, forestry, horticulture and natural resource management education in Australia. It indicated a commitment from the Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture and the University of Melbourne to merge the agriculture, food, forestry and horticultural activities into a single faculty to become Australia's largest ever such entity.
The Agricultural Science Society of Thailand (Under the Patronage Of His Majesty The King), 1994
Prepared in 1994, this publication is now largely an historical record of a period in internation... more Prepared in 1994, this publication is now largely an historical record of a period in international agricultural development. It provided a basis for accessing Thai agricultural expertise by international development organisations and their agents and aimed to stimulate recognition and greater use of this expertise both in Thailand and other countries.
The Institute for International Development Ltd is pleased to publish this important book and to ... more The Institute for International Development Ltd is pleased to publish this important book and to contribute to its wide circulation. The Institute has agreed to the book being released at an affordable price for prospective consultants in developing countries and in transitional economies. The Institute for International Development Ltd is a public company limited by guarantee and registered in Australia. It is chartered to, among other matters, provide consulting services for international development and to promote international cultural interaction. The Institute maintains a strong and highly experienced core of international development specialists who have distinguished themselves in the field. Much of what such persons do is described in this book. Among its other responsibilities, the Institute manages the International Development Fund which supports worthwhile activities consistent with the lnstitute's charterpublication of this book is one such activity. Institutions and persons seeking further information about the Institute are encouraged to contact the head office at the following address.
Governance of organizations is less studied than management, yet is a key determinant of strategi... more Governance of organizations is less studied than management, yet is a key determinant of strategic vision and direction, oversight and values. An organization's Board selects, appoints and monitors Management with which it must maintain a productive interaction with both parties understanding their different roles. International research institutions funded by variable contributions from wealthy national governments and philanthropic bodies have specific governance requirements. Neither governmental nor UN-style bodies offer prescriptions for the expertise and complexity of such legally constituted specialist organizations. In the case of such organizations as the International Livestock Research Institute within the CGIAR association, governance has been shared across different persons, bodies and forces. The sharing of such critical responsibilities worked productively when trust was high and funding was approximately aligned to the influence of the sharing parties, but otherwise it risked anomalies of imbalance between authority and responsibilities that prejudiced impact. The book traces the governance systems of ILRI across five decades of international livestock research as a case study of historical interest that can inform future structures in the international research arena.
This document is re-published by the MPW Alumni as a charitable action in support of disseminatin... more This document is re-published by the MPW Alumni as a charitable action in support of disseminating information useful to the improvement of international wellbeing. Rather than printing paper versions, it is intended that the publication be made freely available online. MPW Alumni with continuing professional interests in effective international development hope that some lessons learned in the past may not be repeated by new practitioners unfamiliar with, or unable to access, experience from past generations.
Originally published as a project document by one of Australia’s largest aid projects, it contains general information that represents aspects of the state of knowledge of its times, the early 1980s. The project – the Zamboanga Del Sur Development Project – was not associated with the group from which the MPW Alumni arises although two of its number were the overall Project Managers across the majority of its duration, and others were technical visitors or advisers. Its re-publishing is in response to Geoff Anderson finding a copy of the original document in his library and offering it to David King who continues agricultural and wellbeing project work in The Philippines.
Agriculture and philosophy have been parts of a whole across history and remain so. Philosophy in... more Agriculture and philosophy have been parts of a whole across history and remain so. Philosophy informs wellbeing and contentment amidst the vagaries of existence, the primary concern of which has always been security of food. Science, once known as natural philosophy, is a major means of philosophical advance today. Agricultural science is presented as comprising all of these components.
The philosophical quest to be at ease in nature extends from pre-historical times into our unknown future, and employs diverse vehicles to convey insights across generations via myths, legends religion, academic study and ritual practices. Expressing esoteric concepts has employed agricultural metaphor across the historical era as it has been our most common interaction with nature. Continuing as our most widespread human interaction within nature, agriculture’s role in creating civilization, and later its writing, eventually led to an urban separation from nature including food production.
Unifying the philosophy, agriculture and agricultural science across cultures and traditions from pre-agricultural times through the European Enlightenment to today, this work builds on neglected ancient insights. Perhaps the most profound of these insights is that our thoughts and actions may be seen as an integral part of nature. Rather than being independent agents with free will, our fears and guilt may be seen as active forces in the dynamics of nature itself, which includes our procurement of food. This conception offers a wider interaction than can be comprehended from current popular approaches.
Agriculture and philosophy have been parts of a whole across history and remain so. Philosophy in... more Agriculture and philosophy have been parts of a whole across history and remain so. Philosophy informs wellbeing and contentment amidst the vagaries of existence, the primary concern of which has always been security of food. Science, once known as natural philosophy, is a major means of philosophical advance today. Agricultural science is presented as comprising all of these components.
The philosophical quest to be at ease in nature extends from pre-historical times into our unknown future, and employs diverse vehicles to convey insights across generations via myths, legends religion, academic study and ritual practices. Expressing esoteric concepts has employed agricultural metaphor across the historical era as it has been our most common interaction with nature. Continuing as our most widespread human interaction within nature, agriculture’s role in creating civilization, and later its writing, eventually led to an urban separation from nature including food production.
Unifying the philosophy, agriculture and agricultural science across cultures and traditions from pre-agricultural times through the European Enlightenment to today, this work builds on neglected ancient insights. Perhaps the most profound of these insights is that our thoughts and actions may be seen as an integral part of nature. Rather than being independent agents with free will, our fears and guilt may be seen as active forces in the dynamics of nature itself, which includes our procurement of food. This conception offers a wider interaction than can be comprehended from current popular approaches.
Shifting Cultivation Policies: Balancing Environmental and Social Sustainability, 2018
What policy concerning shifting cultivation would be ‘right’? This essay discusses the subject by... more What policy concerning shifting cultivation would be ‘right’? This essay discusses the subject by eliciting what has been learned and offering a context for engagement with policy-makers. Making the ‘right’ policies is a worthy ideal, but only worthy so long as we recognize that ideals are goals and not destinations. Having such awareness, we can accept the inevitable compromises involved in policy formulation. However, where single-issue advice in uences policy, unforeseen and unwanted outcomes can result.
Agricultural Science at La Trobe University is in its Jubilee Year just as the university conclud... more Agricultural Science at La Trobe University is in its Jubilee Year just as the university concludes its overall Jubilee. As a brand new institution opening in 1967, the university was part of a wider vision that had driven 1960s Australia to cater for its future. It was about education, not jobs; intellectual understanding, not practical training. The vision was initially reified through the humanities and social sciences – the arts. There were also pure sciences – but even before the university opened it had been agreed to include one of the applied sciences, Agricultural Science. At the time this showed laudable foresight, for such courses were the nearest thing Australia had produced to a liberal-arts degree. The very statement seems incredible today, yet Agricultural Science was then the degree that included each of the pure, applied and social sciences – and it did this through an intensive course spread across four years. And for La Trobe University, it was to be a valued asset. Over the ensuing half-century, values and vision have changed.
Agricultural Education remains fundamental to civilization. It is the most consistent productive ... more Agricultural Education remains fundamental to civilization. It is the most consistent productive income of Australia, which is one of the world’s very few net agricultural exporters. Victoria, with only about three percent of the Australia’s area, has been its major source of agricultural output. These three factors – underpinning civilization, creating wealth, and intensity in south-eastern Australia – make Victorian agriculture and its education of national importance and international significance.
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, at times complemented by La Trobe University and such colleges as Burnley, Dookie, Gilbert Chandler, Glenormiston, Longerenong, Marcus Oldham and McMillan, has underpinned sustained rises in productivity and profitability. But coordination and consistency have not always been its hallmarks.
This history reveals that Agriculture at Melbourne began amidst controversy, grew to fame under a great Dean, at times rested on its laurels and others was dragged into organisational experiments. Its 22 Deans over its 110 years typify the calling evident in its staff. Frequently a leader, the Faculty has recently strengthened its animal sciences by joining with the veterinary sciences – but that is for a future history.
Biased company history written in 1991 with the objective of uniting past players after dissoluti... more Biased company history written in 1991 with the objective of uniting past players after dissolution of the partnership; contains factual company information of value.
This book introduces Buddhism by describing its approach to spiritual development and those who u... more This book introduces Buddhism by describing its approach to spiritual development and those who undertake the Buddhist path. It aims to make Buddhism more easily understood by those who might be unfamiliar with its objectives – and this task is made easier by the pragmatic ways in which Buddhism meets our enduring urge for happiness. Among the various spiritual traditions that have been developed over the past three thousand years to relieve humans of their suffering and distress, Buddhism is perhaps the most methodical, practical and comprehensive. As a function of its essential tolerance and loving kindness, the Buddhist tradition is expressed in a variety of forms that recognise different individual needs, and diverse cultural environments throughout the world. Our appreciation of this tradition, as it expands in the West, will increase as we understand some of its insights and key principles of spiritual development.
Orienting National and International Research to the SDGs, 2023
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a groundbreaking attempt at coordinating internation... more The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a groundbreaking attempt at coordinating international collaboration in pursuit of specified and agreed ideals for a 15year period from 2015. Presented as ambitious goals and targets, divergences in cultural interpretations and priorities are accommodated as nations and institutions adapt the goals for their own strategies. Conceiving the SDGs in this embracing manner avoids many of the less important criticisms of the UN's approach and allows a global vision of progress at this halfway point towards 2030. Progress is evident despite the inevitable setbacks of unforeseen circumstances that have included pandemics, wars and major policy changes. This keynote lecture discusses these matters by introducing the SDGs in general, by discussing general critiques of the UN approach, and by briefly citing an example of SDG implementation at each of national, regional and international levels.
slides of presentation from conference:
Thaksin University & Asian Forum of Business Education, P... more slides of presentation from conference: Thaksin University & Asian Forum of Business Education, Phuket, January 2018
Modern society relies on human creativity to invent means of compensating, reducing or negating t... more Modern society relies on human creativity to invent means of compensating, reducing or negating the negative effects of innovative technologies and other applied discoveries. In this sense sustainable development begins with research and invention and progresses through commercialization or other means of making an innovation available. The process implies awareness of the interrelatedness of all things rather than single-minded definition of problems; a realistic understanding that sustainability is thus as an ideal rather than something that can ever be absolutely achieved. Smart technologies allow an innovation to be potentially more sustainable in the sense that they can creatively mimic natural processes more accurately than some past approaches. Examples are presented from agribusiness and international development to illustrate the innovation of smart technologies that have potentially increased sustainability. It is concluded that business education seeking to expand this approach does well to build on a broad educational base that appreciates the value of integrated thinking.
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- namely LaTrobe University and
The University of Melbourne, the state government department and CSIRO’s food research. Coordination of programs and capacity-building
in these institutions is ripe for enhancement through a Victorian agriculture and food precinct initiative.
- namely LaTrobe University and
The University of Melbourne, the state government department and CSIRO’s food research. Coordination of programs and capacity-building
in these institutions is ripe for enhancement through a Victorian agriculture and food precinct initiative.
The work is historical insofar as it documented aspects of the creation of the Institute of Land and Food Resources on 1 July 1997 as a landmark in the history of agricultural, food, forestry, horticulture and natural resource management education in Australia. It indicated a commitment from the Victorian College of Agriculture and Horticulture and the University of Melbourne to merge the agriculture, food, forestry and horticultural activities into a single faculty to become Australia's largest ever such entity.
Originally published as a project document by one of Australia’s largest aid projects, it contains general information that represents aspects of the state of knowledge of its times, the early 1980s. The project – the Zamboanga Del Sur Development Project – was not associated with the group from which the MPW Alumni arises although two of its number were the overall Project Managers across the majority of its duration, and others were technical visitors or advisers. Its re-publishing is in response to Geoff Anderson finding a copy of the original document in his library and offering it to David King who continues agricultural and wellbeing project work in The Philippines.
The philosophical quest to be at ease in nature extends from pre-historical times into our unknown future, and employs diverse vehicles to convey insights across generations via myths, legends religion, academic study and ritual practices. Expressing esoteric concepts has employed agricultural metaphor across the historical era as it has been our most common interaction with nature. Continuing as our most widespread human interaction within nature, agriculture’s role in creating civilization, and later its writing, eventually led to an urban separation from nature including food production.
Unifying the philosophy, agriculture and agricultural science across cultures and traditions from pre-agricultural times through the European Enlightenment to today, this work builds on neglected ancient insights. Perhaps the most profound of these insights is that our thoughts and actions may be seen as an integral part of nature. Rather than being independent agents with free will, our fears and guilt may be seen as active forces in the dynamics of nature itself, which includes our procurement of food. This conception offers a wider interaction than can be comprehended from current popular approaches.
The philosophical quest to be at ease in nature extends from pre-historical times into our unknown future, and employs diverse vehicles to convey insights across generations via myths, legends religion, academic study and ritual practices. Expressing esoteric concepts has employed agricultural metaphor across the historical era as it has been our most common interaction with nature. Continuing as our most widespread human interaction within nature, agriculture’s role in creating civilization, and later its writing, eventually led to an urban separation from nature including food production.
Unifying the philosophy, agriculture and agricultural science across cultures and traditions from pre-agricultural times through the European Enlightenment to today, this work builds on neglected ancient insights. Perhaps the most profound of these insights is that our thoughts and actions may be seen as an integral part of nature. Rather than being independent agents with free will, our fears and guilt may be seen as active forces in the dynamics of nature itself, which includes our procurement of food. This conception offers a wider interaction than can be comprehended from current popular approaches.
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, at times complemented by La Trobe University and such colleges as Burnley, Dookie, Gilbert Chandler, Glenormiston, Longerenong, Marcus Oldham and McMillan, has underpinned sustained rises in productivity and profitability. But coordination and consistency have not always been its hallmarks.
This history reveals that Agriculture at Melbourne began amidst controversy, grew to fame under a great Dean, at times rested on its laurels and others was dragged into organisational experiments. Its 22 Deans over its 110 years typify the calling evident in its staff. Frequently a leader, the Faculty has recently strengthened its animal sciences by joining with the veterinary sciences – but that is for a future history.
Thaksin University & Asian Forum of Business Education, Phuket, January 2018