The Nature of Nature
The Nature of Nature
(30) The Nature of Nature - Laura Sirot, Department of Biology
Our current relationship with nature is filled with contradictions. On the one hand, many people enjoy connecting with “nature”. On the other hand, many of those same people use toxic chemicals to kill living organisms when “nature” gets too close to home. Although some humans are exploiting natural resources and impacting natural ecosystems at an unprecedented rate, we also are using technology developed from these natural resources to solve environmental problems. Many people with a strong concern for environmental issues are unaware of the impacts their actions have on the health of other people and natural ecosystems around the world. Further, some people use the term "natural" to justify moral positions while also recoiling at the notion that we share an evolutionary history with other animals. In this seminar, we will critically examine some of the ways in which humans relate to the natural world through readings, discussions, writing assignments, debates, and a final research project. We will address questions such as: To whom do natural resources belong and what are the short- and long-term benefits of their use? What is the value of connecting and disconnecting ourselves from the natural world? What can studying the nature of other organisms tell us about human nature and vice versa? Readings will come from authors such as Rachel Carson, Barbara Kingsolver, Aldo Leopold, Alice Walker, E.O. Wilson, and Marlene Zuk.