Nature

Alternate meaning: Nature (journal)

Nature refers to those things which exist in reality as part of the universe, and are not artificial[?], or imagined.

In scale, 'nature' includes everything from the universal to the subatomic[?]. This includes all things animal, plant, and mineral; all natural resources; as well as events (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes). It also includes the behaviour of living animals, and the processes associated with inanimate objects[?].

Natural science is the study of natural processes. All sciences deal with the natural.

"Natural philosophy" formerly named the scientific discipline now known as physics.

Natural theology straddles the disciplines of theology and philosophy of religion.

In education and related areas, the contrast "natural/artificial" can appear as " nature/nurture".

For contrasting/varying concepts, see praeternatural, unnatural[?] and supernatural.

History of the Concept of "Nature"

Historically, things natural received short shrift from civilised (read "artificial") society until the 18th century romantics discovered the joys of the sublime and started gushing about "Nature" (as a personified, capitalised demi-god), visiting countrysides and climbing mountains. The romantic soft-spot for the natural world re-manifested itself in the late 20th century in the Green movement.

See also

• Naturefriends