Nature: Western Attitudes Since Ancient Times

by Peter Coates

In an advertisement for water filter cartridges, we see a tumbling waterfall. The caption reads, "Like nature, Brita is beautifully simple." What kind of thinking is this? Is nature an objective reality that, in its beautiful simplicity, is unaffected by time, culture, and place? The word nature what do we actually mean by it? These are some of the riveting questions examined by Peter Coates as he demonstrates that nature, like us, has a history of its own. Beginning with Roman times, Coates investigates the ideological and material factors that have influenced human perceptions of, attitudes toward, and uses of nature—notably religion and ethics, science, technology, economics, gender, and ethnicity. Nature is seen among its rich panoply of meanings as a physical place, as the collective phenomena of the world, as an essence or principle that informs the workings of the world, as an inspiration and guide for people and a source of authority governing human affairs, and as the conceptual opposite of culture. By examining these aspects of nature, Coates leads us on a spectacular tour of the central intellectual forces of Western civilization. The book is essential reading for those who seek an understanding of the history of ideas and the role of nature in that history.

Genres: Ecology, Nature

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Shana]

I remember mostly that this book posed an interesting challenge to the notion that things are getting worse all the time or that reckless environmental damage is a relatively new phenomenon for humanity. It seems we'll ALWAYS been about destruction in our quest for development/civilization. I remember notably a quote from Roman times (I hope that was this book, it's been 8 years) in which the author talking of the forests being stripped from the hills of Rome and complained all would be gone in no time. It sounded VERY familiar, and although clearly the scope and speed of the environmental impact of our current world population (of humans) dwarfs past impacts, still, it's a good reminder that this isn't a NEW phenomenon and that we CAN make choices to add more "nature". Also, there was an interesting presentation of western notions of parks as sort of wilderness zoos, or plant/scenery museums that has made me re-think my OWN attitudes when it comes to land management. Here in the U.S., we have vast and beautiful national parks that are largely undeveloped, preserving nature pure of human buildings/terraforming. But are they "consumed" by as many people as a neighborhood park? Are they inherently more valuable for being wild? He tells of the popularity in romantic times of new-classical gardens with built-new greek ruins to make lovely scenes perfect for a painting (or photo-opp).
essentially, viewing western attitudes toward wilderness was an interesting exercise for me and broadened my viewpoint as well as my understanding of the seeds of certain movements (such as the national park movement)
But I do NOT remember this as a particularly well written read, and would not likely have finished it had it not been assigned.