On the meanings of "nature"

Abstract

All peoples known to science have a concept of "nature" which forms part of the world-view of the culture. The relative importance of "nature" differs among cultures. In our own Western culture, ideas of "nature" are mentioned from the earliest written records, and are related to concepts of the autonomous individual and of hierarachy and order. At certain times these concepts have had particular usefulness in achievement of personal emotional balance. These values should be explored and defined, that they may be made more widely available.

Parent Publication

• Children, nature, and the urban environment: proceedings of a symposium-fair

Citation

Stillman, Calvin W. 1977. On the meanings of "nature". In: Children, Nature, and the Urban Environment: Proceedings of a Symposium-Fair; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-30. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 25-30