Взаимодействие человека и окружающей среды еще в last century was one-sided: people cared little about how to replenish natural resources in some way. Mother Nature was a wet-nurse, who generously bestowed them, seemingly not demanding anything in return. And from the side of human society, as a last resort, she could only expect a contemplative, poetic attitude. But in the twenty-first century, societies increasingly have to think about the consequences of their actions and the relationship between society and nature.
What is nature
Для того чтобы определить основные черты mentioned relationship, you need a clear understanding of the essence of nature. In philosophy, there are two most common definitions of this concept. The first one says that nature is nothing but a collection of elemental and disorderly forces that exist without dependence on human society.
According to the second approach, it also represents an objective independent reality, but is subject to certain laws and necessity.
The system of views on nature in the early stages of development of society
It should be noted that different conceptsregarding the nature of nature evolved along with man himself. When he was defenseless in front of her forces, he endowed her with almost unlimited omnipotence. The environment was not just a chaos consisting of impersonal elements: she was the mother-nurse who gave birth to all life.
The relationship of man, nature and societyconceived in the framework of unity and harmony. This concept is reflected in the writings of ancient scholars. Thus, the philosopher of ancient Greece, Democritus, regarded man as a collection of atoms, which reflects the frame of reference of that time.
Then the people did not yet possess the means thatcould subordinate nature to their goals. Therefore, they looked at her as something higher, admired her, and to some extent even tried to imitate these forces possessing unlimited power.
Attitude to nature in the Middle Ages
The driving force that determined not onlyThe political and economic development of society in the Middle Ages, was religion. Beliefs in the supernatural powers of divine providence also determined attitudes towards nature. The main goal of mankind has now become the struggle with his own sinful essence - and, as we know, in many respects it was identified with the spontaneous forces of nature, which are blind and opposing the mind.
The study of the material world in the Middle Ages was not encouraged. Therefore, in those days, only the most desperate and selfless thinkers thought about the relationship between society and nature.
The situation in the Renaissance
In the period of rising interest in culture and artnature begins to be viewed as a source of inspiration: people call on each other to return to it for creative searches. Completely new features are related to the environment in the 17th and 18th centuries. At this time, a person begins to use the power of his mind to explore natural forces. Now he needs them to increase production capacity.
These views are reflected in the philosophy of the thentime: people are beginning to think in a new way, what is the relationship between society and nature. Now the main task is the subordination of elemental forces to the will of the mind. Thus, the great scientist Francis Bacon said that the purpose of developing progress is the power of man over these forces.
Time to remember the relationship between society and nature
This attitude prevailed right up to the middle.of the last century. Nature was perceived only as a source of resources. But since this time, people realize that their life depends on the state of the environment. Such a view can be conveyed by a simple phrase: “The Earth is our common home”.
It is impossible to say otherwise.Standing on the threshold of an ecological disaster, a person is forced to admit: for now he has nowhere to go in a cold and alien universe. Therefore, he must respect his home, bearing in mind the importance that nature and society have in their relationship.
The search for a reasonable balance
At present, society is seriously thinking aboutits relationship with nature. It must determine for itself the boundary that separates the rational use of valuable resources and the complete destruction of the environment. On the one hand, man needs the material resources provided by planet Earth. On the other hand, his life depends on their safety.
Nature is the object of human activity.It represents the material that society needs to transform for its own purposes. The interrelation of nature and society is conditioned both by issues of human survival and problems of the needs of society.
If a person exhausts all natural resources, thenwill be like an old woman from the tale of Pushkin, who was at the broken trough. Society must understand: by destroying nature, it condemns its existence to destruction. Having exhausted natural resources, it deprives itself of the material base for production. The relationship between nature and society should be not only consumer in nature. A person must take care of the environment. This attitude does not exclude the possibility of an aesthetic and scientific approach.
Natural and social inside of human nature
Проблема взаимозависимости человека от природных forces led scientists to research the next question - if society is so dependent on external environmental conditions, what is the relationship between the natural and the social within the person himself? Scientists from various fields were engaged in this problem - from anthropologists to psychologists. Within the framework of studying this problem, one part of researchers sought to consider man as a biological species. Another went deep into the study of the human soul.
Of particular interest in the research question - whatthe relationship of society and nature - represent the views of the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. He believed that the development of society is due to the interaction of natural biological forces inside man, as well as social factors that seek to limit the action of these forces.
The views of Freud met a lot of criticism.For example, the scientist Erich Fromm believed that the biological within a person is not the primary force pushing him to certain actions. However, in his conclusions, as well as in the conclusions of other neo-Freudians, there was a biological approach.
English scientist G.Spencer developed the so-called organic theory. In accordance with it, the relationship between nature and society was largely explained. According to Spencer, society has the same features as a biological organism.
Thus, at the beginning of the new millenniumman has to make a choice: to continue the destruction of the environment or to choose other ways that do not ignore the question of what is the relationship between society and nature. Life on planet Earth will largely depend on this choice.
