culture, biology, and saving the planet wade b. worthen furman university
DESCRIPTION
Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University. A Disclaimer: - the title….. The Earth is not at risk – it is 4.6 by old and will do fine for another 5 by. (“Saving the planet” was hyperbole.). A Disclaimer: - the title….. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
- Aesthetic reasons to preserve biodiversity:
![Page 2: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
A. What is Biophilia?
E. O. Wilson (1984) defined biophilia as “an innate tendency of humans to focus on life and lifelike processes…
![Page 3: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
A. What is Biophilia?
- There are four elements:
1. Humans are interested in living things…
![Page 4: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
A. What is Biophilia?
- There are four elements:
1. Humans are interested in living things…
2. There is an adaptive benefit to this interest that has been selected for over hominid evolution…
![Page 5: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
A. What is Biophilia?
- There are four elements:
1. Humans are interested in living things…
2. There is an adaptive benefit to this interest that has been selected for over hominid evolution…
3. This relationship influences how we learn …
![Page 6: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
A. What is Biophilia?
- There are four elements:
1. Humans are interested in living things…
2. There is an adaptive benefit to this interest that has been selected for over hominid evolution…
3. This relationship influences how we learn …
4. And who we are …
![Page 7: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
B. Why is biophilia relevant to modern humans?
- three elements:
1. Pragmatic: it works – nature IS relevant, and its contribution to culture is interesting.
Aztec God Quetzalcoatl, as an Ouroborus
![Page 8: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
B. Why is biophilia relevant to modern humans?
- three elements:
1. Pragmatic: it works – nature IS relevant, and its contribution to culture is interesting.
2. Artistic: Because it may help us express our humanity more fully…
![Page 9: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
B. Why is biophilia relevant to modern humans?
- three elements:
1. Pragmatic: it works – nature IS relevant, and its contribution to culture is interesting.
2. Artistic: Because it may help us express our humanity more fully…
3. Ecological: “…to the degree that we come to understand other organisms, we will place greater value on them, and on ourselves” (Wilson, 1984).
To save biodiversity, we must appreciate its relevance to our mind and our cultures.
![Page 10: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Let’s examine the Evidence for Biophilia in:
Humanities
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences
![Page 11: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for _____________.
‘B’ is for _____________.
‘C’ is for _____________.
‘D’ is for _____________.
‘E’ is for _____________.
‘F’ is for _____________.
![Page 12: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for _____________.
- antidisestablishmentarianism?
![Page 13: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for _____________.
- antidisestablishmentarianism?
![Page 14: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for _____________.
- Antidisestablishmentarianism?
- Apple?
![Page 15: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for _____________.
- Antidisestablishmentarianism?
- Apple? - Airplane?
![Page 16: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘B’ is for _____________.
- Ball?
![Page 17: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘B’ is for _____________.
- Ball? - Bee?
![Page 18: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘C’ is for _____________.
- Cat?
![Page 19: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘C’ is for _____________.
- Cat? - Car?
![Page 20: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘D’ is for _____________.
- Dog?
![Page 21: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘D’ is for _____________.
- Dog? - Duck?
![Page 22: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘E’ is for _____________.
- Elephant?
![Page 23: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘F’ is for _____________.
- Fox?
![Page 24: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘F’ is for _____________.
- Fox? - Fish?
![Page 25: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for apple or airplane.
‘B’ is for ball, not bee (ambiguous?)
‘C’ is for cat or car.
‘D’ is for dog or duck.
‘E’ is for elephant.
‘F’ is for fox or fish.
![Page 26: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
A ‘first alphabet’ book…..
‘A’ is for apple or airplane.
‘B’ is for ball, not bee. Living or
‘C’ is for cat or car. “life-like”
‘D’ is for dog. Even if they are NOT
‘E’ is for elephant. commonly encountered -
‘F’ is for fox or fish. Why learn “elephant?”
![Page 27: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
Adjectives and similes…..
Sly as _________
![Page 28: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
Adjectives and similes…..
Sly as _________
a fox…
![Page 29: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Language
Adjectives and similes…..
busy as __________?
Strong as ________ ?
Weak as _________ ?
![Page 30: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities – Language
Verbs:
To ‘cow’ To ‘quail’
To ‘clam up’ To ‘weasel’
To ‘outfox’ To ‘hound’
To ‘hog’ To ‘grouse’
To ‘fawn’ To ‘buffalo’
![Page 31: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities – Language
Summary –
“Human intelligence is bound to the presence of animals. They are the means by which cognition takes shape and they are the instruments for imagining abstract ideas and qualities…they are basic to the development of speech and thought.”
-Shepard 1978
Trivial examples or basic, fundamental examples?
![Page 32: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Art
-Language and the arts are dependent on natural imagery to evoke a particular emotion…..
Autumn Landscape at Dusk – Vincent Van Gogh
![Page 33: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Art
-… or misrepresents ‘a natural view’ to spur our attention…
“Tete d’une femme Lisant”
-Pablo Picasso
![Page 34: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Animals are our cultural icons, we use them for tribal affiliation, both trivial….
NFL Football Team Mascots:
Cardinals Falcons Ravens Bills Panthers
Bears Bengals Broncos Lions Colts
Jaguars DolphinsEagles Seahawks
Rams
15 of 32 teams (not that it helps….)
![Page 35: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
And significant…
![Page 36: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Animals are central to the myths that give our lives meaning and our culture context.
In particular, the serpent figures
prominently as an icon of power,
knowledge, life, and death.
Egyptians – the Earth as an
Egg, grasped by a serpent
![Page 37: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Middle East – Judaism – Eve and the serpent
![Page 38: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Greeks – Gaia (Earth) was protected by her son, Python, who lived at the center of the world and held it together
(image from Greek alchemist text, 15th century)
![Page 39: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Australian aboriginal culture – the rainbow serpent – art dates from 6000 years ago
![Page 40: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Norse –dragons and Jormungand, the world serpent – (an ouroborus).
![Page 41: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities - Religion
Aztecs – Quetzalcoatl, the ‘bird-serpent’ or “feathered serpent”
![Page 42: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
C. Evidence for Biophilia in the Humanities – Cultural Summary
"Animals are far more fundamental to our thinking than we supposed. They are not just a part of the fabric of thought:
they are a part of the loom." (Peter Steinhart, 1989).
The loom from which we fashion our cultures…
(Native American ouroboric image)
![Page 43: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Navajo Dance
Silver tip fox cape with foot clasp
![Page 44: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Social Sciences - Psychology
- phobias are usually related to natural environmental cues: (snakes, spiders, water, closed spaces, heights)
(and other primates that encounter snakes are ophidophobes)
![Page 45: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Social Sciences - Psychology
- even though cultures have produced more deadly risks
![Page 46: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Social Sciences - Sociology
-habitat selection – humans with the resources build homes on promontories near water, with a view
The Vanderbilt Estate, “The Breakers”, Newport, RI
![Page 47: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Social Sciences - Sociology
Societies construct gardens, parks, and green spaces in urban environments – like Central Park, NYC.
![Page 48: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Social Sciences - Sociology
We need nature, and we take it with us into man-made environments; it is a part of what we are, and it has shaped who we are and how we identify ourselves, individually and
collectively.
Rooftop Garden, Tokyo
![Page 49: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Natural Sciences - Physiology
- contact with people helps development and healing
- contact with animals helps stress and healing, and gives us someone who depends upon us..
![Page 50: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
C. Evidence of Biophilia in the Natural Sciences - Physiology
- vistas - people with a natural view are less stressed and are more productive.
- inner city children with a view of a park are able to concentrate in school and are better learners.
![Page 51: Culture, Biology, and Saving the Planet Wade B. Worthen Furman University](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062408/56813af2550346895da36fcd/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
What are the ramifications of biophilia?
Humans need nature as a reference to completely express our humanity. It is at once the “other” and the “self”.
To lose it, or to simplify it, will profoundly affect what we are.