Metamodern Meaning 71. Realizing the Biosphere | 3. Thinking 'Nature' (w/ Layman Pascal)
Jan 19, 2025
This conversation features Layman Pascal, a leading thinker in the metamodernism and integral communities. He delves into the intricate distinctions among terms like 'nature,' 'natural,' and 'natural order.' Layman explores how cultural perceptions shape our understanding of the biosphere and emphasizes the need for a balanced relationship between civilization and wilderness. He also discusses the impact of natural aesthetics on mental well-being and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of ecological contexts in relation to individual and collective responsibility.
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Nature as Limit on Limits
- The concept of nature involves human perception and is not entirely objective.\n- Nature is a complex boundary beyond which all limitations are canceled, embodying a "limit on limits."
Nature's Historical Emergence
- The conceptual category "nature" was largely invented in early modernity to distinguish humans from the rest.\n- Nature traditionally denotes non-human biosphere elements, excluding human cultural artifacts.
Nature and Chaos Parallel
- Earlier anthropological distinctions like sacred vs. profane parallel our concepts of nature and human order.\n- Nature is often associated with chaos, wildness, and the unknown beyond human control.