Siatta Merchant
Dr. Johns
Marcuse: Pacification of Nature
The ‘pacification of nature’ is a concept defined by Herbert Marcuse, the author of “One-Dimensional Man,” as a point to which man has effectively diminished the progression and given powers of nature through the development of technology. When used in a repressive manner, technology causes human weakness. Furthermore, Marcuse establishes man as a rational creature submerged in the world of nature as a capable force to irrationally overcome, mentally and naturally, the powers of nature, which in turn create a society of chaos and negativity between the two.
In contradiction to the ideology of Marcuse, Lee M. Silver, the author of “Challenging Nature,” demands that mankind’s superiority assume its proper position in the universe by controlling nature and provoking nature to succumb to its power. This is the only thing that will bring complete and utter domination, which to Silver, is essential to the survival of man. “The ultimate question, though, is whom we should trust to make such choices in the future: global society or Mother Nature? Mother Nature, without our help, turned gigantic vibrant ecosystems into lifeless deserts. Mother Nature, without our help, ‘ruined ancient civilizations and socio-economic systems.’ Mother Nature, without our help covered Canada in mile deep glaciers, and she would certainly do it again if all human industry disappeared (Silver 203).” Silver demands, through his interpretation of nature’s past faults, that we take an active role in preserving our own kind, whether it is through technology or some other form of control, because if we do not, nature will cause mankind’s extinction.
“Pacification presupposes mastery of Nature, which is and remains the object opposed to the developing subject. But there are two kind of mastery: a repressive and liberating one.” Marcuse predicts that if mankind had used power in acts of liberation, nature and man could co-exist in a peaceful realm of tranquility, but man has instead decided to use repressive mastery to subordinate nature, causing a disconnected state. In this concept, Silver’s and Marcuse’s ideas collide. Silver defines agricultural technology as salvation during time in which a nomadic lifestyle could no longer survive, and thus liberation from man’s trials allowed humans and nature to depend on one another.
I must agree with Silver. Mother Nature will forever need our technology and mental capabilities to transform it into the next stage because nature left unaltered will, in fact, cause our extinction. I consider our society to be well equipped with the knowledge to fine tune any aspect of nature that could pose a threat to our existence, so why would we choose not to? Diverging further from Marcuse’s idea, I believe that human beings are rational creatures who make rational decisions with the awareness of our own existence in mind. With that, nature and man will move forward, man superior, to a clear cut end.
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When people consider Mother Nature, a peaceful and fertile picture comes to mind. Some may envision a beautiful blue sky while others imagine the vast ocean waters glimmering in the sun. But what one may not consider is the evil side of Mother Nature. “Mother Nature will forever need our technology and mental capabilities to transform it into the next stage because nature left unaltered will, in fact, cause our extinction” (Merchant). Although Mother Nature appears to be all beauty and innocence, it must be controlled by society.
Mother Nature is not blameless. As Silver put it, “It is not just other living things that can cause pain and suffering among human beings. Mother Earth herself can be capricious and uncaring” (Silver 198). An example of this would be the recent Hurricanes striking states along the Gulf. Mother Nature demonstrates her level of heartlessness by killing people and destroying their homes through these attacks. Without the hard work and preparation performed by society, Mother Nature would do even more damage than she already has.
Mother Nature does not have a plan, so humans must have a plan. “Human beings are rational creatures who make rational decisions with the awareness of our own existence in mind” (Merchant). The decisions we make about precautions and safety procedures help keep our species alive. Luckily, today we have advanced technology to help us in our “battle” against Mother Nature.
In conclusion, society needs to keep Mother Nature in line. By using superior and further advancing technology, mankind will dominate over nature. I could not close with a better statement than Siatta’s when she said, “...nature and man will move forward, man superior to nature, to the clear cut end.”
I have to say first, Dana, that I really liked your argument!
Siatta Merchant
Dr. Johns
Marcuse: Pacification of Nature
The ‘pacification of nature’ is a concept defined by Herbert Marcuse, the author of “One-Dimensional Man,” as a point to which man has effectively diminished the progression and given powers of nature through the development of technology. When used in a repressive manner, technology causes human weakness. Furthermore, Marcuse establishes man as a rational creature submerged in the world of nature as a capable force to irrationally overcome, mentally and naturally, the powers of nature, which in turn create a society of chaos and negativity between the two.
In contradiction to the ideology of Marcuse, Lee M. Silver, the author of “Challenging Nature,” demands that mankind’s superiority assume its proper position in the universe by controlling nature and provoking nature to succumb to its power. This is the only thing that will bring complete and utter domination, which to Silver, is essential to the survival of man. “The ultimate question, though, is whom we should trust to make such choices in the future: global society or Mother Nature? Mother Nature, without our help, turned gigantic vibrant ecosystems into lifeless deserts. Mother Nature, without our help, ‘ruined ancient civilizations and socio-economic systems.’ Mother Nature, without our help covered Canada in mile deep glaciers, and she would certainly do it again if all human industry disappeared (Silver 203).” Silver demands, through his interpretation of nature’s past faults, that we take an active role in preserving our own kind, whether it is through technology or some other form of control, because if we do not, nature will cause mankind’s extinction.
“Pacification presupposes mastery of Nature, which is and remains the object opposed to the developing subject. But there are two kind of mastery: a repressive and liberating one.” Marcuse predicts that if mankind had used power in acts of liberation, nature and man could co-exist in a peaceful realm of tranquility, but man has instead decided to use repressive mastery to subordinate nature, causing a disconnected state. In this concept, Silver’s and Marcuse’s ideas collide. Silver defines agricultural technology as salvation during time in which a nomadic lifestyle could no longer survive, and thus liberation from man’s trials allowed humans and nature to depend on one another.
I must agree with Silver. Mother Nature will forever need our technology and mental capabilities to transform it into the next stage because nature left unaltered will, in fact, cause our extinction. I consider our society to be well equipped with the knowledge to fine tune any aspect of nature that could pose a threat to our existence, so why would we choose not to? Diverging further from Marcuse’s idea, I believe that human beings are rational creatures who make rational decisions with the awareness of our own existence in mind. With that, nature and man will move forward, man superior, to a clear cut end.
Dana - Great job.
Siatta - Your introductory paragraph is interesting, but your language is hard to follow - difficult topics often lead to tortured language.
Your understanding of Silver is very good; your understanding of Marcuse, while not wholly wrong, is a little shakier. You have a strong grasp of ways in which Silver and Marcuse differ, but you don't seem to recognize the degree of unity between them - Silver's "domination" (incidentally, a word which was very important to some of Marcuse's philosophical colleagues) and Marcuse's "pacification" aren't totally alien concepts.
Thus, when you decide in favor of Silver over Marcuse, I'm not sure that you have either:
a) Shown us how Marcuse and Silver are more unlike than alike, and
b) Shown us why you think Silver is fundamentally superior.
You tackled a tough subject and have some strong insights, but there are unfilled gaps here.
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