People vs. Nature - February 2012 Issue



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People often forget their role in life. This is not to say that people are unable to acknowledge themselves; many however, simply cannot find their place. In tandem with this discussion about self-acknowledgement, I’d also like to propose another interesting topic: our role in the natural world. First off, it’s important to define what “natural” means. But then we run into a problem, we can’t! This is not to say that there isn’t an Oxford English Dictionary definition or even a Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy dictation; it is to say, however, than any definitive analogue will be misconstrued, as it was created by us human beings. Now this may be considered a radical though, but if this is to be considered extreme, then it is only fair to assume the antithesis of my argument to be bigoted as well.

I believe that humans are part of the natural system; we live in ecosystems, we function in communities, we have a population that is ever-expanding and that is limited by external/internal factors, we communicate our needs, and we affect that which surrounds us. Given this understanding, it seems obvious that we are indeed part of “nature.” We humans are no different than the environment around u, as we build our own homes from materials of the earth, our cities are our ecosystems, our farms are our food source, and we even work to establish our fitness. This view is often concealed behind the guise of the corporate man in a suit (which do not grow on trees), wearing his polished leather shoes (also not found in “nature”), who brandishes a laptop in one hand and a ballpoint pen in the other.

In order to see how humans are part of nature, I find that a comparison to something that we already consider to be natural is in order, for example, a beaver. A beaver manipulates its environment to build its home – it chews down trees and blocks rivers. How is this different from what we humans do? We also use our environment to create shelters – which are continuously being developed and maintained through manipulation of the environment. Then let’s look at how the animal keeps itself nourished and maintained. Many food items, even in“nature,” require preparation of some kind. Granted that you won’t see a tiger grilling steal or a rabbit tossing a salad, the gist of the concept is similar. We prepare food so that we may consume it, as such; animals prepare their food by cracking it open, mashing it, or crafting it through some other process. In this sense, not only do we manipulate our environments in similar fashions, but we also maintain ourselves in the same technique.

However, this polar to this argument is that humans are not a part of nature because we, as some religions state, were given control of all flora and fauna, thus we are “above”our kingdom of subservient foliage and beast alike. And what about the computer age? What about industrialization? What about pollution? All are byproducts of human/natural life. Pollution is a naturally occurring phenomenon, yet what drives critics of human pollution is the fact that it’s been so augmented as to be the cause of mass extinction and global warming, that it is forgotten that it just simply happens.

Understanding that humans play a role in nature is also key to understanding oneself. Acknowledging oneself is something that very few can achieve, granting it such hi prestige and reverence. A question until next time: Where do you find your position is in everyday life? Are you a provider? A supporter? A leader? It’s an interesting transition from a discussion about nature to oneself, but it’s also interesting to see how oneself fits into nature.