Nature: What It Takes for Us to Notice

Nature: What It Takes for Us to Notice

“Of things that exist, some exist by nature, some from other causes.” Aristotle, Physics Why is it that we tend to appreciate less and less that which we see often? Herein is surely one of the great banes and challenges of human life. We grow used to things. There is...
Some Matter Can See!

Some Matter Can See!

“By nature animals are born with the faculty of sensation…” Aristotle, Metaphysics Perhaps of all the wonders of the natural world none is as magnificent as this: some creatures can see. One almost shudders to ask: what does it mean to see something? Here...
That Tree is Alive!

That Tree is Alive!

“Of natural bodies some have life in them, others do not.” Aristotle, On the Soul     It seldom catches our attention. So easy is it for us to pass it by without noticing. That tree is alive. Choose the tree—it matters not which one: the specimen maple in...
Rediscovering Wonder

Rediscovering Wonder

“For it is owing to their wonder that men both now begin and at first began to philosophize.” Aristotle, Metaphysics     When it comes to certain wonder-full things in the world around us, life experience can have a stultifying effect in our souls. We become...
Daddy, Why are There Flowers?

Daddy, Why are There Flowers?

I pride myself on answering questions. As a teacher I have the opportunity to answer many, and I try to do so with precision and completeness. But some questions are different. This one pierced through the normal routine of question posed, answer given. Or it should...

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