Record Nr.

UNINA9910782620903321

Autore

Leiss William <1939->

Titolo

The domination of nature / / William Leiss

Pubbl/distr/stampa


New York, : G. Braziller, [1972]

ISBN

1-282-85700-2

9786612857003

0-7735-6479-9

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xxvi, 242 pages)

Disciplina

113

Soggetti

Nature - Effect of human beings on

Philosophy of nature

Science and civilization

Technology and civilization

Human ecology

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

A revision of the author's thesis, University of California, San Diego.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliography (p. 223-231) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front Matter -- Contents -- Preface to the 1994 Reprint -- In Pursuit of an Idea: Historical Perspectives -- The Cunning of Unreason -- Mythical, Religious, and Philosophical Roots -- Francis Bacon -- The Seventeenth Century and After -- Science, Technology, and the Domination of Nature -- Science and Domination -- Science and Nature -- Technology and Domination -- The Liberation of Nature? -- Appendix -- Notes and References -- List of Works Cited -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

In Part One Leiss traces the idea of the domination of nature from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century. Francis Bacon's seminal work provides the pivotal point for this discussion and, through an original interpretation of Bacon's thought, Leiss shows how momentous ambiguities in the idea were incorporated into modern thought. By the beginning of the twentieth century the concept had become firmly identified with scientific and technological progress. This fact defines the task of Part Two. Using important contributions by European sociologists and philosophers, Leiss critically analyses the role of science and technology in the modern world. In the concluding chapter he puts the idea of mastery over nature into historical perspective and

explores a new approach, based on the possibilities of the "liberation of nature." Originally published in 1972, The Domination of Nature was part of the first wave of widespread interest in environmental issues. These issues have reemerged in many industrialized countries, reinforced by planetary dynamics such as threats of global warming (or cooling) and ozone depletion. In an extensive new preface Leiss explains why his study is as relevant as ever.