essentialism/nature & culture

[Mary C. Simmons, Hydrologic Assistant, Albuquerque, NM]

Jeff wrote:
"I was offering a hasty and probably sloppy rendition of Lovelock's GAIA 
Hypothesis as a basis for defining nature.  If anyone has a more accurate, 
descriptive definition, I'm all ears."

Well, Jeff, I am a bit persnickety at times, especially when it comes to earth 
processes.  I thought some last night about this difference between nature and 
culture.  I think its really a matter of intent, and CHOICE.  "Nature", in 
whatever process we are talking about (geology, biology, meteorology,etc), 
there are NO choices...physical laws constrain all earth processes.

HUMANS have choice.  Culture is choice--no physical laws dictate how a group 
of humans must organize itself. 

So maybe culture and nature really have not much that is inherently in 
common--unless of course the human group CHOOSES to organize itself in harmony 
with nature.

What a concept.

Mary.

_________________________________________________________________________
Mary Simmons
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division  
Albuquerque, New Mexico 
(505)262-5332
[EMAIL PROTECTED]