We are Nature

Human beings are part of nature. Many of our problems arise when we think of ourselves as not part of what is around us. But we are made of the same carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen as everything else and we continually exchange our molecules with all that is around. It is arrogance to think that we are apart of or different than our world. And part of the world is what we consider to be supernatural... but that just refers to something that we can't explain the why and wherefore.

Science is a collection of theories that attempt to, and appear to explain what is around us. But these theories can only see as far as the limits of the box in which they sit. They are bounded by the terms used, which are bounded by our understanding to put things in terms. Though they continually expand it is a never-ending process. We continually expand and rewrite our science.

There is nothing that is not natural. From Merriam Webster:

1 a: the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence b: disposition, temperament2 a: a creative and controlling force in the universe

When an ape makes a tool it is natural. When we build bridges or fly airplanes we are simply using more advanced tools… though we are sometimes stupid enough to use our tools to destroy our home and lives.

Moral value at its most basic level arises out of survival. We learn to protect what is ours and close to us. We use concepts like, “Thou shall not kill, steal, or usurp”, looking at our behavior toward people. But the concept of ethics changes dramatically when we envision ourselves as an integral part of all that is around. When we come to see that everything that we do affects everything, and that we are part of that everything, ethics and morality rise to a new level.

We have enhanced awareness that allows us to see consequences far beyond what many other animals can comprehend, which makes our decisions much more difficult. We experience many things that cannot be described within the view of the world that we currently have. In this way all we can do is philosophize, nothing is absolutely certain and there is room for anything and everything.