Woods

In our modern societies, human interaction with the natural world is often distant and superficial. Vladimir Bibikhin's book "The Woods" argues that our existence is still deeply linked to forests, as they are a living ecosystem and the source of energy and life. Aristotle recognized their primal role, and the book explores how the woods can be transformed from simple matter to a living environment, reminding us that we belong to the world of biological life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 05 February 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

In our contemporary, urbanized societies, our connection with the natural world often appears distant and superficial. Human life has strayed far from its prehistoric origins, when humans resided deep within the forests and relied on them for their survival.

In this profound and thought-provoking book, Vladimir Bibikhin, one of Russia's most influential twentieth-century philosophers, argues that, despite the physical distance many humans now maintain from forests and woods, our existence remains intricately intertwined with them. It was Aristotle who first recognized the primal significance of these natural environments, drawing upon the Greek words for wood and forest to form his concept of "matter." While the woods may be perceived as inanimate material, they simultaneously constitute a living ecosystem and a vital source of energy and life. By embracing this duality, the woods transcend their mere existence and emerge as a living environment, serving as a poignant reminder that we are deeply connected to the world of biological life, perhaps more than we often realize.

The Woods will captivate students and scholars engaged in philosophy and the humanities, as well as those who are passionate about environmental issues and our relationship with the natural world. It offers a profound exploration of the woods' dual nature, shedding light on their transformative power and reminding us of our profound connection to the broader ecosystem.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509525874