Rolston interview by Pascale Smeesters and Bau Dang Van
Date
2016-09-06
Authors
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, interviewee
Smeesters, Pascale, interviewer
Van,Bau Dang, interviewer
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Abstract
Rolston interview by Pascale Smeesters and Bau Dang Van on September 6, 2016, at Rolston's home. What is "nature"? Nature compared with culture. Does true "wilderness" exist? Humans respect a wonderland planet. Value in nature. Animals and plants value their own survival. Whatever values its own survival has a good of its own. Snakes, mosquitoes with a good of their own? Beauty in nature. Animal motions may show graceful form. Deer, impala in flight; hawks soaring. Adapted fit results in efficient form in motion. Dead animals? Life persists in the midst of its perpetual perishing, and that is beautiful. Are humans part of or apart from nature? Humans evolved in nature, yet evolved out of nature into culture. We alone can jeopardize or take care of the planet. "I don't want to live a denatured life on a denatured planet." Vegetarians? Humans evolved as hunters, and eating meat is natural. Some industrial farming mistreats animals, and some meat Rolston does not eat. Rolston grew up among farmers, and critics object that this biases his views. Nature in the Bible. The Hebrews lived closer to nature than most of us now do. All of us ought to see ourselves as living in promised lands, living on an Earth with promise. Jesus found the beauty of wildflowers to exceed the glory of Solomon. Nature in the Bible is part of a wonderland planet.
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Subject
Rolston, Holmes, 1932-
nature
culture
wilderness
value in nature
intrinsic value
beauty in nature
persistence of life
humans part of nature
humans apart from nature