International Lectures on Nature and Human Ecology

With the help of scientists, philosophers and artists, all seeking to study the structure of relationships between Nature and Mankind, we are reaching a time of deeper understanding. The growing realisation that there is no evolution without nature, or rather, that evolution is an issue that involves a complex relationship between man and nature, is altogether amongst the larger questions that humanity has ever faced. Study in depth is primarily scientific: new science highlights the need to rethink the mechanisms of representation of reality, physics and mathematics speak a new language yet to be discovered, but a new perception has been established.

Certainly it is in this context that, after a loss of credibility and in the new logic of qualitative and probabilistic science, the value of the natural system of evolution is clearly reaffirmed, as opposed to persuing synthesis and genetic modification. We are in fear of having to accept with technology the control of the uncontrollable: of respect for nature and its balance in order to be part of the picture, but avoiding consideration of origins. From ecology (environmental good sense) we can move towards a new ethical vision where we no longer speak of cause and effect but rather of condition and consequence, in an inherent and absolute context.

New strategic implications and a new economy are both possible in this view and it would be wrong not to investigate these possibilities. In depth study should be the objective and not just theory: we need to turn it into reality. From wind energy to fair trade, we see the prevailing practice of really wanting to understand and make something happen straight away. The right way is to be as objective and rational as possible, not to confuse ecology with utopia and to give power to words. Ecology, on the other hand, speaks in terms of logos and business-language. It demonstrates at the same time, research and the lack of a proper way to express ourselves in relation to the environment in which we belong.

Now, an interest through art, which reaches understanding other ways and shows a different approach. It is immediate and intuitive, but because it is not codified it is able both to express satisfaction at a result and to retain the stimulus for research. Research, this is basically the theme of the lecture: research to understand, even just a little better, the relationship between man and nature and thereby help pave the way towards a future different from that which appears on the horizon today.

Massimo Mercati