"What a Young Philosopher Discovered More Than 200 Years Ago About Nature" (Spencer Mottley)

     "What a Young Philosopher Discovered More Than 200 Years Ago About Nature" by Andrea Wulf.

 Discusses the late 1700s - early 1800s philosopher Friedrich Schelling and how he, unlike earlier

philosophers, who based their thinking on religious principles and thought of humans as existing

separately from nature. Friedrich believed that humans were not only part of nature but were, in fact

identical to it. This idea would "change the way humans think about themselves and nature (Andrea)".

One of his core beliefs regarding this theory was that every aspect of the environment, both biotic (plants

and animals) and abiotic (rocks, geological features, etc.), composed one all-encompassing organism.

Although his belief that humans were a part of nature was inspired by the scientific breakthroughs of the

scientific revolution. Friedrich also believed we have a connection to nature that can not be fully explained

by scientific knowledge. "According to Schelling, being in nature-meandering through a forest or walking

up a hill- was always also a self-discovery, a journey into oneself (Andrea)." This idea that someone could

discover themselves by simply being immersed in nature led to the romantic movement. Which people 

seeked to be connected to the places around them rather than simply being distant observers. After reading

this article, I was left with a question and an answer to that question. My question was how can pepole

haveing a mindset similar to Friedrich Schelling, save the planet from environmental degradation? My

answer is that it will help save the planet because people will have a stronger connection to the natural

world and will see themselves as part of nature. Therefore, they will be more inclined to act on

environmental issues because by saving nature, they are also saving themselves.  

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