Esrm 101
Questions - History of Reverence/symbolism for Forests (4/2/13)
Q2. In the past, human attitudes toward forests could be broadly broken up into 3 attitudes. List these attitudes and give an example of each? Which attitude expresses your value for forests?
•Reverence – Humans have been venerating forests as representation of spiritual, cultural, and mythological values. Forests have their links from the earth to sky or creation to underworld.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, ancient Egyptians treated sycamore trees as an earthly form and a divine being.
•Utilitarian or to be Used for Products or Safe Havens – Forests have been used as various sources nowadays; those including timber, water, and renewable energy sources. It has also, throughout the course of our history, provided shelters for human beings during civil conflicts. It is evident that forests have provided a good hiding place and some potential economic benefits.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, William the Conqueror in 11th century demolished entire villages and drove inhabitants of their lands. Later, the dispossessed English noblemen used forests as asylums and hunted animals and harassed the Normans. These people were not afraid of the forest, probably did not revere it, but could survive because they had water, food, and materials to make shelter.
•Fear – Forests, though they have been contributing as crucial sources for humans, were depicted as malevolent places; people feared them due to their dark appearances – those places may shelter harmful predators that could kill, stalk, or harm humans. In addition, even in old fairy tales, forests stand as abandonment.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, Hansel and Gretel is an example of fearing forests. It is a tale of separation anxiety where Hansel and Gretel are abandoned in the dark forests.
Q3. In class, you were presented several ideas on why humans have a psychological link to forests or trees. List one of these values and
Q2. In the past, human attitudes toward forests could be broadly broken up into 3 attitudes. List these attitudes and give an example of each? Which attitude expresses your value for forests?
•Reverence – Humans have been venerating forests as representation of spiritual, cultural, and mythological values. Forests have their links from the earth to sky or creation to underworld.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, ancient Egyptians treated sycamore trees as an earthly form and a divine being.
•Utilitarian or to be Used for Products or Safe Havens – Forests have been used as various sources nowadays; those including timber, water, and renewable energy sources. It has also, throughout the course of our history, provided shelters for human beings during civil conflicts. It is evident that forests have provided a good hiding place and some potential economic benefits.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, William the Conqueror in 11th century demolished entire villages and drove inhabitants of their lands. Later, the dispossessed English noblemen used forests as asylums and hunted animals and harassed the Normans. These people were not afraid of the forest, probably did not revere it, but could survive because they had water, food, and materials to make shelter.
•Fear – Forests, though they have been contributing as crucial sources for humans, were depicted as malevolent places; people feared them due to their dark appearances – those places may shelter harmful predators that could kill, stalk, or harm humans. In addition, even in old fairy tales, forests stand as abandonment.
Ex) According to the lecture slides, Hansel and Gretel is an example of fearing forests. It is a tale of separation anxiety where Hansel and Gretel are abandoned in the dark forests.
Q3. In class, you were presented several ideas on why humans have a psychological link to forests or trees. List one of these values and