The Changing Perceptions of Culture and the Environment

Wade Davis explores how the Enlightenment era's shift towards a mechanistic view of nature has led to the exploitation of resources and a disconnection from cultural and ecological significance. He emphasizes the importance of reciprocal relationships with nature, drawing from indigenous philosophies that view every element of the natural world as interconnected and spiritually significant. Davis challenges the dichotomy between traditional and modern ways of life, advocating for the preservation of cultures as dynamic and essential components of the planet's well-being.