Awhile ago, we had an interesting discussion on what constituted as natural and unnatural processes. Towards the end of class, it appeared that almost everyone had agreed upon the idea that all things are natural since they came into existence via direct or indirect, natural influences. But is this indeed the case? Should I really consider my high-tech cell phone a product of the natural environment even though it did not grow on a tree? There appears to be a disconnect here that would benefit from further debate.
The biggest challenge with differentiating between natural and unnatural entities, is with defining them. Once we determine what is indeed natural, we can thus identify things that are unnatural. Although we are of nature and engage in behaviors that are natural to ourselves, many of the products that have been produced as a result of this are not natural. For instance, I can never consider my clothing natural. Regardless of the materials used to produce them, they are still things that were constructed via unnatural processes.
My burnt orange backpack will cease to exist once the manufacturers end its production. This will not be caused by seasonal temperature changes or turmoil inflicted upon the environment. It will a result of supply and demand; one of mankind’s modes of power. Once this backpack is deemed “out of style,” it will become old news and cease to exist. Unlike a ripe apple from a nearby tree, this product will not decompose to produce new backpacks. It will simply be placed amongst other manmade, waste products in landfills.
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4. I tend to hover over both sides when it comes to debating what is natural and what is not. It is definitely easy to agree with you by saying anything that is manufactured or produced is unnatural. However, then I think back to an example that was brought up in class about how we consider a beaver’s dam natural yet that was not simply found in the woods, it was produced by something and when discarded it will not produce more dams. I think this is a great example that keeps me questioning my view on this particular matter.
ReplyDeleteEither way everything is natural. It came from nature. The only reason you consider your clothing or mobile phone to be unnatural is because it is not NORMAL to call your possessions Natural. These are just words made up by man. I do not care what you want to call it but the fact still remains all your things came from nature which makes them natural because they exist. The First Law of Thermodynamics creates matter cannot be neither destroyed nor created. Therefore, everything around you if from some part of nature and making it natural. The only thing not natural can be considered supernatural like believing in a god or ghosts because it is not proven that they exist.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this semester I have come to the conclusion that the word nature, in the English language, is like the word love. It has so many different meanings, depending on the particular context. Yeah sure, we could as a class come up with an agreed upon definition, but nature will always remain one of those undefinable words.
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