In my last post, “Outdoor Activities and Ethical Stewardship: A Reciprocal Relationship,” we explored how engaging with the natural world through activities like hiking, paddling, or simply sitting quietly outside, isn’t just related to environmental stewardship – it is stewardship. We talked about the embodied awareness it fosters and the powerful, personal connection that makes us care.
Today, I want to dig a little deeper. Beyond the crucial work of protecting ecosystems and reducing our impact, why is maintaining this connection with nature fundamentally important? Why does it matter to us, on a level that transcends even the vital need for a healthy planet? The answer, I believe, lies in the deep philosophical and existential threads that weave us into the fabric of life on Earth.
The Illusion of Separation Examined
I previously highlighted the “mistake” of viewing humans and nature as separate entities. Philosophically, this separation is a relatively recent construct, largely amplified by the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, which emphasized human rationality, control over nature, and the idea of nature as primarily a resource for humans. This perspective, often labeled anthropocentrism, places humans at the center, granting moral standing and value primarily to ourselves, and valuing nature based on its utility to us.
But what if the older, more integrated view – shared by many indigenous cultures and ancient philosophies – is closer to a deeper truth? What if we are not just in nature, but of nature? This shifts our perspective towards ecocentrism, or even biocentrism, which suggests that ecological systems, or all living things, have intrinsic value, independent of human needs or preferences.
Acknowledging our place within the natural system, not just upon it, changes everything. It’s not just about our responsibility to nature (as stewards), but our inherent identity as nature. Losing connection isn’t just losing a resource or a place to play; it’s losing a fundamental part of ourselves.
Our Primal Need for Nature
This brings us to a more profound philosophical question: What happens to the human spirit, mind, and being when we are fundamentally disconnected from the natural world?
- Erosion of Identity and Place: For most of human history, our identities were inextricably linked to the land, the climate, the plants, and the animals around us. Our stories, myths, and understanding of the world were rooted in natural cycles. Modern life, particularly in urbanized, technologically saturated environments, can leave us rootless, adrift from the deep ecological context that shaped our species. Our connection to nature isn’t just nice; it’s arguably foundational to a complete sense of self and belonging.
- The Withering of Wonder and Awe: Nature, in its raw power, intricate complexity, and vastness, is a primary source of wonder and awe. Gazing at a starry sky, standing before an ancient tree, or witnessing the sheer power of the ocean can humble us, expand our perspective beyond our daily routines, and connect us to something larger than ourselves. Philosophically, experiences of awe are vital for cultivating humility, fostering a sense of the sublime, and prompting existential reflection. Disconnection from nature risks intellectualizing the universe, reducing it to data points rather than a living mystery.
- Impeding Human Flourishing (Eudaimonia): Philosophers from Aristotle onwards have grappled with the concept of eudaimonia – often translated as human flourishing or living well. While traditionally focused on virtue and community, a growing body of thought and evidence suggests that a connection to nature is not merely beneficial for well-being (reducing stress, improving mood), but potentially essential for full human flourishing. Could it be that living entirely divorced from the natural world prevents us from reaching our full potential as integrated physical, mental, and spiritual beings? The Biophilia Hypothesis suggests an innate human need to affiliate with life and natural systems – a need that, if unmet, leaves us incomplete.
- Diminished Ethical Imagination: When nature becomes an abstract concept “out there,” it’s easier to see it only in terms of resources or problems (like pollution or climate change) rather than as a complex web of life with intrinsic worth. Our ethical considerations shrink to the human sphere. Reconnecting physically and emotionally expands our moral imagination, making it possible to extend care and consideration beyond our own species and immediate interests. It cultivates empathy for the non-human world not out of obligation, but out of a felt connection.
More Than Stewardship
My previous post concluded that engaging ethically with the outdoors is stewardship. I would add that it is also an act of profound self-care – not in a superficial, spa-day sense, but in the deepest philosophical sense of nourishing the roots of our humanity.
Maintaining our connection with nature isn’t just about ensuring a healthy planet for future generations (though it absolutely is that). It’s about ensuring the health of the human spirit right now. It’s about remembering who we are, where we come from, and our place within the grand, unfolding story of life.
So, when you head outside, whether it’s for a hike, a quiet sit by a stream, floating a river, or just feeling the sun on your face in a park, remember that you are doing more than just getting exercise or practicing good stewardship. You are engaging in a fundamental act of reconnection – an act that is, perhaps, far more critical to our individual and collective well-being than we have ever given it credit for. You are not just protecting nature; you are, in a very real sense, protecting a vital, irreplaceable part of yourself.