Autonomous Nature

Exploring the tension between nature as an unruly force and a rational system, this book delves into historical perceptions from ancient times through the Scientific Revolution. It highlights how advances in various scientific fields reshaped views of nature as something manageable. The narrative includes vignettes of unpredictable events like the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the Bubonic Plague, illustrating the ongoing challenges of understanding nature's unpredictability. Ideal for courses in environmental history and the philosophy of science, it offers a critical examination of humanity's relationship with the natural world.