What is natural?

Ok - we are about to head to Westonbirt again for our induction trip...

The topic to ponder is the question 'What does it mean to call something Natural?'

The term can be explored at http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=natural and follow the links from last year at http://r-p-e.blogspot.com/2007/09/natural.html

Some pictures from last year can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/58244916@N00/ - the RPE Flickr gallery... The picture here is the cafe/teashop - where we can shelter if the weather lets us down...

Dave

Natural (2)

Thanks to all students who took part in the Week Zero (Freshers week / Induction week) activities last week. They worked hard - both on the trip and back at FCH.

Our trip to Westonbirt Arboretum allowed us to reflect on was is meant by 'natural' - and the groups took a range of approaches - from the narrative account of a lost little leaf - to more detailled work on a range of philosophers. I have posted more pictures to the RPE Flickr book so go there for a look if you're interested. We hope to get a cross-year social event organised soon...

Cheers,

Dave

Natural?

Hi.

As part of our induction activities for new students next week, we shall be asking them what is meant by term 'natural': what does it mean to talk of an 'unnatural' practice - especially as an evaluative moral term?

We shall be spending some time at a place where people go to spend time in 'nature' (Westonbirt Arboretum) - what does it mean to call such a place 'natural'? - And does spending time in such places assist us in reflection? I (and the new students) would appreciate any thoughts - or indeed references - that will help us think this through...

Comments welcome via the blog..
Dave