What Does Nature Mean to You Essay Example
Phuong Pham (XP)
Professor Sarah Mittlefehldt
ELA 1000-07 Images of Nature
Sept 11, 2011
Response Paper 2
What is nature? If “nature” is a term solely referring to physical matters viewed in their own existences, separate from those of others, then it shall be an inadequate definition to answer the question “what is nature?”. Getting them to interact with one another and including the process of interrelations among those matters into the definition of “nature”, we still have an insufficient definition. The missing component here, and the precise definition that truly reflects what nature really is, in my opinion, is the fundamental and consistent rules that shape and govern all processes occurring in the world.
I consider the notion that nature is only living beings and lifeless objects – or physical matters for a more general term - a misconception. Nature indeed consists of those, yet that does not necessarily and accurately mean nature is a general term meant to represent and to address them. As aforementioned, in my view, there are two intrinsic features of nature: fundamentality & consistency; therefore, if physical matters are testified under my conditions for something to be viewed as “nature”, they would inevitably fall out of the categories. Considering how immensely powerful the universe’s energy is, physical matters that exist are all subjected to changes and, to some extent, decays. Even the Sun, one of the largest and most potent celestial bodies so far known to human, scientifically has its finite longevity. “All compounded things are subject to decay.” – said Buddha. The condition of consistency therefore has not been satisfied; physical matters, viewing alone in their own separate existence, could not be considered nature.
Hence, I attempt to take one step further by bringing the physical matters into direct contact with each other, but the mere processes between the matters, once again, do not meet the requirement of fundamentality to
Professor Sarah Mittlefehldt
ELA 1000-07 Images of Nature
Sept 11, 2011
Response Paper 2
What is nature? If “nature” is a term solely referring to physical matters viewed in their own existences, separate from those of others, then it shall be an inadequate definition to answer the question “what is nature?”. Getting them to interact with one another and including the process of interrelations among those matters into the definition of “nature”, we still have an insufficient definition. The missing component here, and the precise definition that truly reflects what nature really is, in my opinion, is the fundamental and consistent rules that shape and govern all processes occurring in the world.
I consider the notion that nature is only living beings and lifeless objects – or physical matters for a more general term - a misconception. Nature indeed consists of those, yet that does not necessarily and accurately mean nature is a general term meant to represent and to address them. As aforementioned, in my view, there are two intrinsic features of nature: fundamentality & consistency; therefore, if physical matters are testified under my conditions for something to be viewed as “nature”, they would inevitably fall out of the categories. Considering how immensely powerful the universe’s energy is, physical matters that exist are all subjected to changes and, to some extent, decays. Even the Sun, one of the largest and most potent celestial bodies so far known to human, scientifically has its finite longevity. “All compounded things are subject to decay.” – said Buddha. The condition of consistency therefore has not been satisfied; physical matters, viewing alone in their own separate existence, could not be considered nature.
Hence, I attempt to take one step further by bringing the physical matters into direct contact with each other, but the mere processes between the matters, once again, do not meet the requirement of fundamentality to