Mans Place in Nature
Man’s Place in Nature When considering man’s place in nature, it is necessary for one to look into several aspects about the earth and its inhabitants. ... By watching the cycles found in nature, one can see how interrelated and vulnerable its habitats really are, and hopefully come to understand that humans are also linked in this chain, and the extinction of our plants and animals will have the same effects on humanity. It is important to contrast the ideas of what man’s place in nature is to what man’s place in nature should be, and focus on ways in which humans can collectively reach that goal. ... Humans’ impression of the world is distinctive, but not necessarily superior, from other species on the planet; it is, therefore, our duty to try to understand our surrounding world and our place in it by using these specialized senses unique to the human race. ... Another aspect that characterizes American society is the importance we place on material possessions. ... Think about the value Americans place on clothes. ... The major problem behind the selfish nature of the American culture is that it not only deters the happiness of Americans as individuals, but also has a negative effect on countries around the world. ... So while humans have been set apart by the Creator as highly intellectual, self-reflective, and emotional animals, we still have a bond with nature and all that is in it. ... are drowning in overpopulation, pollution, noise, chaotic streets and traffic, high-crime rates, cut-throat businesses, lack of nature, unhealthy food, extravagant strip malls and restaurants, yet they are still what we call cultured and advanced. ... To the average layman, this term refers mostly to animals, nature, and indigenous cultures of the world. ... Biologists who began observing this behavior found it very curious that such a lethargic animal would use so much time and energy in doing this, not to mention the fact that the sloths place themselves in a dangerous and vulnerable position to predators by coming to the ground. ... Another way in which we can understand what man’s relationship to nature should be, is by studying lifestyles of indigenous or “wilderness” societies. These cultures can be viewed as models of people who managed to live compatibly and dependently on nature; they have survived off their lands for thousands of years, in ways unharmful to the environment and beneficial to their communities at the same time. Many Native American tribes depended on hunting for survival even though nature was sacred to them. ... In some ways, these cultures can be viewed as extreme environmentalists as they worshipped nature and considered it sacred. Now let’s contrast these societies with modern cultures, whose relationship to nature is characterized by what we do to it, rather than how we live with it. ... Our computer-dictated, nature starved lives are entrenchingly and increasingly dependant on economic issues and benefits, so much so, that it has blinded our American society to the havoc we are wrecking on biodiversity and ecosystems across the planet. ... This ideal goal would require, however, our governments and ruling forces and people across the globe to collectively look past the concerns of our immediate future and into the concerns of long-term global preservation and conservation of both humanity and nature. ... One must now enter and exit nature areas as one would a museum.