When the subject of a post is such an abstract concept as nature it becomes very difficult to create a coherent opinion to express. Nature as most people would define it is the wilderness of trees, rocks, water, and animals that surrounds us on a daily basis. Yet for me Nature has always been a very abstract thing, not something that can ever really be quantified. Nature can be the basics of a person or the basic environment that we live in by definition, so how can something like that be quantified by the amount of life it holds? It's impossible the concept is too large. Thus, to what end is nature?
Nature is the thread that binds us. In history classes we discuss Human Nature. In science classes we discuss the Laws of Nature. Nature is an interminable presence that is ever-changing as it is just the collection of everything in the living world. It changes as each new organism adapts. It has no end, it just simply is Nature is any and everything. Purpose has no bearing, it just is.
In a very Taoist-esque statement, the purpose is not the importance, the being is.
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AJ, I enjoyed your post. It made me think. Nature is a thread that binds us, it is a part of our everyday living, every class we are involved in, and every new lesson offered. Nature is the basis to our presence here on earth. Before anything else was here, nature was predominant. Therefore, why shouldnt we look back to find the answers as Emerson has directed us to do? However, how do we answer the question of "To what end is nature?" - I believe that you have done it best, "Nature is any and everything. Purpose has no bearing, it just is."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amy in that I admire the 'nature is a thread that binds us' analogy, and you extend it well by considering the different 'weave' the thread takes on as you move from one academic setting to another. Nice post!
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