The essays in Mastery of Nature constitute an extensive analysis of the fundamental aspects of the human grasp of nature. But these long-term trends have also brought unintended consequences in their wake as the dynamic forces of social reason, historical progress, and the continued recalcitrance of the natural world have combined to disillusion humans of the possibility-even the desirability-of their mastery over nature. The gradual spread of liberal democratic government, the Enlightenment, and the rise of technological modernity are to a considerable extent the fruits of this early modern shift in intellectual concern and focus. Humanity would seize control of its own fate and overthrow the rule by hostile natural or imaginary forces. In the early modern period, thinkers began to suggest that philosophy abjure the ideal of dispassionate contemplation of the natural world in favor of a more practically minded project that aimed to make human beings masters and possessors of nature. John’s College), Stuart Warner (Roosevelt), and Jerry Weinberger (Michigan State). The book features writings from several JMC fellows, including Harvey Mansfield (Harvard), Robert Bartlett (Boston College), Daniel Doneson (MIT), Michael Gillespie (Duke), Ralph Lerner (University of Chicago), Diana Schaub (Loyola), Devin Stauffer (University of Texas), Lise van Boxel (St. Minkov are the editors recently published book, Master of Nature: Promises and Prospects.
Mastery of Nature: Promises and Prospects