Syllabus
Lectures:
1. Various concepts of nature - philosophical, scientific, pragmatic, esthetic.
2. Nature as physis, nature as logos (laws of nature), nature as constant change.
3. Characteristics of “experience”, influence of nature on our experiencing and being in the present, „flow experience“.
4. Taoism - understanding “tao“, basic principles of Taoism, methods of being natural.
5. Ethics and nature.
6. Role of danger in human existence, dangerous activities. Outdoor pursuits with respect to human finitude.
7. Summary. Seminars:
1. Introduction and discussion of different concepts of nature.
2. Nature in us. Human, too human, and superhuman in relation to outdoor pursuits and their teaching (Nietzsche).
3. Harmony and harmonization of the human being.
4. Taoist concept of the leader, compared to different understandings of a leader.
5. Ethics and nature - conflicting values with respect to the relationship of the human being and nature.
6. Discussion of concepts: danger, risk, challenge, adventure.
7. H. D. Thoreau and his project in his work Walden, or, Life in the Woods.
Annotation
This course examines various conceptions of nature, and explores the human need for nature and outdoor activities, with respect to various meanings it has for the human being. The course introduces basic definitions in this area – e.g. nature, experience, danger, risk, challenge, adventure and harmony, and it also examines ethical issues arising in connection with nature.
Topics are presented from Western and Eastern perspectives. Students are requested to be involved in discussions based on self-study, and are led to formulating their own arguments and views.