integrative concepts

Nature

Other Names:
Natural
Description:
1. Generally, the terrestrial world of perceptible phenomena.
2. The biosphere, including all organic life, soil, oceans and atmosphere.
3. The ecological system or network of which man is part.
4. The environment.
5. In Greek philosophy, Physics. In Greek myth, Pan.
6. One epistemological frame of reference in a relativistic universe. Hence, an order, e.g. the domains and characteristics of Euclidian space-time and the Newtonian physical laws which are operent in this frame or order.
7. Harmony (Pythagoras), regularity, familiarity and comprehensibility in man's experience of the natural world, as opposed to the supernatural: irregular, unfamiliar, incomprehensive experience, violating the day to day order of things. The sensible as opposed to supersensible ranges of phenomena and experience.
8. In moral theology what is ordained and right, fitting to the end intended; as opposed to unnatural, perverted, bestial, or fallen.
9. In Indian philosophies, dharma.