Introduction
The philosophy of nature is the hypothetical field that examines the natural environment or the actual universe in its broadest sense. This existence of distinction and focus on the origin’s dilemma has profoundly impacted present conceptions of creation. Nature is an inherent and essential component of humanity. It is among the greatest pleasures of human existence, yet modern society refuses to acknowledge it as such. Nature has inspired innumerable poets, philosophers, artists, and many others throughout history. This extraordinary creation encouraged people to compose poetry and stories in its honor. Their appreciation for nature is evident in their compositions even nowadays. Nature is the whole lot that surrounds humans, such as water, the air, sunlight, wildlife, birds, and much more. Thus, the philosophy of nature seeks to study and explore the universe.
Discussion
Environmental philosophy deals with environmental problems by attempting to comprehend nature and its worth and utilizing ethical and political frameworks to focus on environmental protection. The present-day crisis can be viewed through several lenses, such as pollution’s consequences, habitat degradation, the extinction of animals and plants, and a decline in human quality of life. The impact of human activities is a subject of ongoing controversy, with proponents of a humanistic viewpoint arguing that the world’s resources are primarily characterized by their utility to humans. Environmental ethics has a significant role in evaluating pragmatic versus intrinsic qualities of the non-human world and is the subject that most academics refer to when addressing environmental philosophy. The environmental crisis is the product of a neoliberal capitalist strategy that produced industrialism, urban sprawl, contamination, industrialization, and global climate change (Abram, 1996). Continuous growth and mankind’s drive toward excess production contribute to the problem, and the structure is unmanageable. It is critical to consider the roles of indigenous peoples as the initial environmental intellectuals to put these concerns in a more understandable perspective. In these ancient cultures, people were taught to appreciate plants, creatures, highlands, lakes, and other non-human phenomena.
Humans are certainly fascinated by nature, and this view does not restrict how they approach it. In addition to a physical and psychological ecosystem, we also inhabit a spiritual environment. Our psychological environment is one factor why humans are naturally drawn to the environment. Numerous individuals like visiting nature to explore its spiritual atmosphere. It is the sensation of being there in the natural habitats, mountains, waters, and forests. It is not only how nature is aesthetically appealing or stimulates the sensations but also how it feels. On an individual level, most humans are concerned with the well-being of nature. However, on an organizational level, most actions from major companies harm nature at the expense of profits. For instance, operations in search of oil and gas significantly affect forest areas and towns.
Ignorance is the root of global warming and all forms of pollution, and I believe it is caused by greed and ignorance. Human greed for material things has made them disregard the long-term effects of harming the environment. For instance, oil exploration results in pollution contributes to climate change, distresses animals, and harms public areas set aside for the benefit of everyone. These individuals make these decisions collectively, yet deep down, they are aware of the impacts of their actions on the environment. The contamination of water by major corporations, the absence of adequate sewage systems, and a variety of human activities around water bodies have produced significant water pollution. Occasionally, seas and oceans are subject to oil spills, which have long-term consequences on water that render it undrinkable. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which is essential to human life. Due to deforestation for farmland and the establishment of new enterprises, the ecological system has become unbalanced, leading to a decline in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere.
According to Abram (1996, p.41), “it should be evident the life-world may be quite different for different cultures.” Most indigenous peoples regard the natural environment as holy, see themselves as a component of the natural world, and think that its integrity must be safeguarded for future generations. In a broad sense, they perceived themselves as guardians of the land. Incorporating the cultures of the indigenous peoples and local communities into climate policies and governance and using their expertise improves their quality of life. In addition, it increases restoration, regeneration, and the responsible use of nature, which is advantageous to society. Indigenous communities are typically in a better position than researchers to contribute knowledge on native biological diversity and environmental development, and they are the largest sources of the management of nature at the international and regional levels. Policymakers must acknowledge indigenous people and their local cultural legacy. Ancient traditions certainly contribute to the preservation and may boost national and international efforts against climate change. Indigenous leaders are highly aware of the importance of their participation in economic development programs. For several isolated communities, opportunities are limited and typically related to resource exploitation operations. Environmental conservation must be balanced with the demand for economic possibilities. Indigenous populations can select and pursue their development-related strategies and objectives.
As a result of living in harsh conditions, several indigenous peoples have selected plants that have likewise had to adjust quickly. Indigenous cultures frequently cultivate native plant species that are preferable to local environments and frequently more resilient to droughts, altitudes, or other harsh conditions. If used more extensively in agriculture, these commodities might help strengthen the resiliency of farmers now confronting a transforming environment. Indigenous peoples have also transformed their lives to be well-matched with and dutiful of their surroundings. In hilly areas, their practices maintain soil, low soil destruction, save water, and minimize the dangers of catastrophes. Indigenous herdsmen in grasslands regulate livestock grazing and the production of crops on a controlled basis that aims at conserving farmland biodiversity. Whenever indigenous people occupy rainforest habitats, they are improved.
Conclusion
The research on nature exemplifies natural philosophy. Abram states, “The whole universe of science is built upon the world as a directly experienced, and if we want to subject science itself to rigorous scrutiny ” (Abram, 1996, p.30). In ancient times, the paradigm of science took on a new form and was usually referred to as natural philosophy, which primarily majored in nature and the physical environment. The perspectives of natural philosophers focus on environmental issues and concerns on a global scale. Neoliberal economic experts may argue that if human activities fueled by market forces caused this mess, the same market forces might alleviate ecological destruction concerns. Indigenous populations should be proactively engaged in expanding health, accommodation, and other socio-economic programs that affect them and administrating such programs as feasible via their organizations.
References
Abram, D. (1996). The spell of the sensuous: Perception and language in a more-than-human world. Vintage Books.