永續發展是一個多樣性的概念，目前已經有上百個定義在建構其意涵，這些定義是否清楚呈現「環境及發展」的全貌，或只是「各取所需」的作法，實值得吾人深入探討。本文主要目的便在於反思永續發展的不同面向，企圖釐清其真正的意涵。從歷史資料及文獻論著的回顧與評析，探討成長限制與永續性意涵之間的關係，並說明永續發展的一般性概念；進一步地，本文從南方國家與北方國家對永續發展的不同解讀，反思不同永續發展架構之侷限與矛盾，從而建立一個願景式的永續性架構，在這個架構下，本文提出永續性轉機的四個條件，以助於達到以續發展的願景。
Sustainability is a multi-facet concept. Over one hundred different definitions have been suggested. Whether these definitions clearly define the holistic picture of the “environment and development” issue, or whether they are just defined for particular perspectives is worth exploring. The main purpose of this paper, therefore, is to reflect on the different perspectives of sustainable development (SD) and to clarify the genuine context of SD. This paper explores general concepts regarding SD from the limit to growth and sustainability context based on literature and historical review. Different perspectives from both the North and the South are examined to explore the constraints and conflicts of conventional SD. From the analysis of sustainability, this paper re-establishes a cognitive structure of SD. Based on the framework, four sustainability conditions are proposed to help achieve the vision of SD.
