The "Natures" of Nature: An Eco-Critical Analysis of the Metaphors we Use to Understand the More-Than-Human World

Abstract

Recent advances in cognitive science have demonstrated that our conceptual system is largely metaphorical. The magnitude of the global environmental crisis requires a critique of the inherited and dominant metaphors of nature used by contemporary society, and an exposure of their limitations and destructive implications. This thesis identifies, compares and contrasts several prevalent categories of metaphors diverse human societies use to construct "nature," including Nature as Object, Nature as Person, and Nature as Social Structure/System. It includes a discussion of Eco-Criticism, World view Theory, and Metaphor Theory as analytical approaches. This thesis concludes that "nature" is far too complex to be adequately captured by a single metaphor. Various cultures use multiple metaphors to understand "nature," each of which entails a limited set of inferences, which shape human perception, interpretation and behavior toward the environment. Therefore, ce1tain metaphorical consumptions are more pragmatic in particular situations or contexts than others.