What is nature? Where do these ideas come from and how do they unfold?

ex) Paradigms vary over time and cultures moving from material to abstract conceptualizations (Coates) €“ sticky ideas that endure. Bio-physical space €“ unspoiled natural environment which is ruled by laws (physics, evolution, God) and can be threatened by human activity; what man has not made. A collective phenomena which includes or excludes humans €“ comic setting for human life where man is part of nature through his physical body but set apart by his mind to investigate the workings of nature (Lucretian view) vs. a creative force/goddess whose moral purpose and meaning is independent of mankind (Mother Nature). A built in essence / quality / principle / characteristics that informs the workings of the world. Nature as instructor €“ an inspiration / source of authority in governing human affairs; laws formulated by specific groups and influenced with values, ideals, particular visions and agendas. Conceptual opposite of culture €“ Man has fallen from grace is now corrupted by institutions vs. creation of laws and civilizations to rise above barbaric interactions. Socially constructed (Society of Nature) €“ inhabited and influenced by culture, beliefs, psychology, religion, economies

How do people think about/experience nature?

ex)Dichotomies: Man/culture vs. nature; Human vs. non-human; Wild vs. tame (scrub grasslands vs. gardens); Natural vs. artificial
Primal €“ pure, savage, uncivilized
Authenticity €“ simplicity, purity
Spatial €“ untrammeled; pristine; dominion
Connections €“ exploitation and dominion; love and pleasure; power and knowledge
Supernatural €“ spiritual, mystical powers
Blurred boundaries
Iconography €“ dogs, ravens
Shamanism €“ wolfman
Fairy tales
Hybrids €“ centaurs, werewolves, Frankenstein, cyborgs
Nature cults

Why is it important?

ex)Affects historical, social, political, cultural, economic relations between peoples and their environments and the laws / policies created to govern these interactions