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Nature

Nature. Chapter 15. Nature. Overall the humanities have been positive toward nature, but some have been indifferent Force that ultimately rules the universe Called Nature by the west Called Brahman in India Called Tao in China Called Dharma to Buddhists. Romanticism.

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Nature

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  1. Nature Chapter 15

  2. Nature • Overall the humanities have been positive toward nature, but some have been indifferent • Force that ultimately rules the universe • Called Nature by the west • Called Brahman in India • Called Tao in China • Called Dharma to Buddhists

  3. Romanticism • Romanticism is a movement in art, literature, music and philosophy • Equate the words “natural” and “free” • Nature and humanity are part of the same whole

  4. Early Warnings Roman Poet- Lucretius Genesis • “On the Nature of Things” • Attributed the beginning of the natural world to a mighty collision of atoms. • Predicts the world will end in a violent explosion • Nature is awesome, powerful and dangerous • Bible passage says that humans “…fill this earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature…” • Some say this means we are responsible for its care, others feel we may do with it as we please

  5. 11th and 12th century views Rebellious young men studying for the priesthood objected to the strict training Urged fellow student to discover the natural world Roots of great poetic theme- the identification of unspoiled Nature with youth and joy and all good things

  6. Renaissance Views • Cities were filthy, (plague), filled with poverty • used humanities to escape to pristine nature • Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Tempest

  7. Decay of Nature Sir William Temple, believed in “deism” (Nature is like a clock created by God or a “clock maker”, left it to run unchanged forever and saw no need to intervene) Believed that as the “clock” slowed down nature would wither and die and all life would perish

  8. Decay continued… Believed not only Nature, but humanity itself was decaying (hedonism) Later, artists and writers perceived that options existed, Nature came to mean the out-of-doors with fresh, clean air, part of the world not destroyed by factories

  9. The Urban Attitude Socrates believed that being alone in lifeless nature could never take the place of stimulating conversation with his companions. Cities are where culture, sophistication, arts and philosophy are found

  10. Manifest Destiny American mythology is urban. “Trailblazers” were brave pioneers who tamed the wilderness Killed the “uncivilized savages” Felt it was their obligation to spread their civilization

  11. Henry David Thoreau • Most famous American environmentalist of 19th century • Naturalist-someone who chooses to live far from society in a natural environment

  12. Environmentalism stemmed from a lock of need to enjoy companionship and conversation in urban surroundings Nature is not a universal cause, it is the road to personal happiness Let those who choose to work in crowded, dirty cities continue to do so

  13. William Wordsworth • “The World is Too Much with Us” • Focused on “getting and spending” • Believed nature was capable healing itself and those who leave urban society

  14. Nature as an Awesome Force • Nature can be portrayed as both terrifying and majestically beautiful • Moby Dick- the whale (God/Nature) is not benevolent or caring, is unreasonably powerful

  15. The Frakenstein Monster • Warns against meddling with nature • Dr. Frankenstein creates a creature that will live forever and be “perfect” • Nature should be admired not analyzed or messed with

  16. Nature and Native Americans Long tradition of a deeply spiritual relationship with nature Their gods watch over various aspects: rivers, hunting, cycle of life and death Rituals with songs and dances to intensify these relationships

  17. Joseph Conrad’sHeart of Darkness Written as an indictment of the arrogance of dominant culture Narrator is sent to Africa to find Kurtz (company’s chief trader) Kurtz has become “savage”, kills anyone who opposes him , stole a native woman from her husband Ends with narrator lying to Kurtz’s wife, claiming his last words were of her

  18. Inconveniences • 1980’s scientists began warning about climate change. • Enhanced by deforestation • Carbon emissions • An Inconvenient Truth- won acclaim and awards for presenting Climate Change • Leads to higher sea levels • Species would vanish • Reduced food supply and drinkable water

  19. If you ask people on the street whether we should worry about the environment they say yes, but know pollution is a necessary part of modern life. Should we live like Conrad’s narrator, content with a lie? Or can we hope that scientists are right that global warming is a natural cycle and poses no danger?

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