The Dissenter

#1134 Norbert Peeters: Botanic Philosophy, von Humboldt, Darwin, and Why Plants Matter

Aug 8, 2025
Norbert Peeters, a teacher at Wageningen University and a PhD student specializing in wilderness philosophy, dives deep into the intriguing world of botanic philosophy. He explores plant blindness and humanity's changing views on plants, from mere resources to valued life forms. The conversation highlights contributions from Humboldt and Darwin, emphasizing their revolutionary insights in botany. Carnivorous plants also take center stage, showcasing their fascinating survival strategies. The discussion reframes wilderness, encouraging a more nuanced appreciation of plant life and its ecological importance.
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INSIGHT

What Is Botanic Philosophy?

  • Botanic philosophy studies how our understanding and values about plants change over time.
  • Norbert Peeters focuses on paradigm shifts shaping what counts as a 'plant.'
INSIGHT

Plant Blindness Is Aspect Blindness

  • We habitually ignore plants and treat them as background in science and daily life.
  • Peeters traces this to fewer plant-focused students, journals, and public attention.
INSIGHT

Aspects Determine What We See In Plants

  • Wittgenstein's 'aspect' idea explains why some plant features appear or vanish to observers.
  • Peeters shows paradigm shifts make flowers or roots suddenly meaningful.
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