The reading for this week comes from William Cronon’s book Uncommon Ground. Throughout the passage, Cronon argues that our modern view of wilderness is paradoxically flawed, but due to the historical effects of the sublime and the frontier that emerged at the end of the 19th century, the adoration of wilderness has become ingrained in our culture. These ideologies have imprinted man-made moral values and cultural symbols on wilderness. Cronon asserts that this romanticism of nature currently underpins actual environmental concerns. He concludes reading stating that a middle ground where humanity and nature intersect must be found in order to create a better world. To these arguments, the author utilizes considerable historical and contemporary
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Americans sought out wilderness as a form of escape from civilization, but the very presence of humans in the wild, made these places an unnatural product of civilization. This view of nature is also harmful, as it causes humanity to detest civilization, despite the structure and safety it provides. The romanticism of Wilderness can also fundamental contributor to many actual environmental concerns. This is evident by the protection of rainforests, which often hurting residents that rely on the resources of the forest for their way of life. It can also be seen in arguments of climate change, where the only viable solution to the issue is for humans to “kill themselves” to protect nature. Yet for many, the attraction to wilderness is so deeply ingrained within their values, they cannot help but loving and protecting it. Cronon argues that in celebrating wilderness, we ignore the landscape we truly call home, which is where the solution to many environmental problems seen today can be found. The author argues that a middle ground between nature and humanity must be found in order to create a better world for all. Incorporating the values that humanity seeks to find in wilderness into civilized society is the key to creating this
Americans sought out wilderness as a form of escape from civilization, but the very presence of humans in the wild, made these places an unnatural product of civilization. This view of nature is also harmful, as it causes humanity to detest civilization, despite the structure and safety it provides. The romanticism of Wilderness can also fundamental contributor to many actual environmental concerns. This is evident by the protection of rainforests, which often hurting residents that rely on the resources of the forest for their way of life. It can also be seen in arguments of climate change, where the only viable solution to the issue is for humans to “kill themselves” to protect nature. Yet for many, the attraction to wilderness is so deeply ingrained within their values, they cannot help but loving and protecting it. Cronon argues that in celebrating wilderness, we ignore the landscape we truly call home, which is where the solution to many environmental problems seen today can be found. The author argues that a middle ground between nature and humanity must be found in order to create a better world for all. Incorporating the values that humanity seeks to find in wilderness into civilized society is the key to creating this