I have never stopped wondering about the kind of relationship that exists between Man and his Environment. God’s creation shows the relationship between man and his environment. The world and its fullness were made for man.
He lives in it and makes a living as he subdues his environment. Everything in his environment has no value. Until it has come into contact, either directly or indirectly with man.
Crude oil for example has no value until it has gone through the process of refining and is being used by man. Gold in its natural state is useless until it is refined by man as well. So many things don’t have value until it comes into contact with man.
The ability of man to exploit his environment has brought about the beauty of nature. He practically inhabits the earth. Cultivates the soil for food and even tames the animals for domestic purpose. He interacts with his environment whether aquatic, terrestrial or in space.
In spite of all the beautiful things that man makes of his environment. He pays dearly if he mismanages or misuses the environment. He suffers greatly for his carelessness by having to deal with earthquakes, floods, diseases of various kinds, attacks etc.
This goes to tell us that, even though man has more influence on his environment. A careless act from his part on his environment can endanger his life. It means that a proportion of commitment between man and his environment is necessary for both to be in good condition.
So, man exploits his environment to survive. While the environment depends on man’s exploit on it to exist.
It is not debatable that there is a form of interaction and bond between man and his environment. Some Philosophers have been able to come to this conclusion. This was after reviewing two different schools of thought on what facilitates the growth of a child.
The schools of thought being reviewed were;
The Hereditary school of thought. This school of thought is of the opinion that whatsoever a person is today, is as a result of what he/she has inherited from the parents. It further stressed that it had nothing to do with his immediate environment.
The Environmental school of thought on the other hand has a different thought. It is of the opinion that a person is defined based on the environment he finds himself. And that regardless of the traits of his parents he has inherited, his interaction with the environment defines him.
This school of thought further explained that a child remains a clean slate when he is born until he grows and interacts with his environment.
The two thoughts were put into considerations by the Comprised Group. Hence, the Comprised Group came to a reasonable conclusion. This group said that there is indeed a relationship between people and environment.
Basically, the things a person inherit from his parents and the environment he lives in, complement each other.
Reviewing the opinions of the different schools of thought, it becomes evident that environment and people have an effect on the growth and development of a child.
What this implies is that, there is a form of correlation between them. Or better still, some sort of shared commitment exists between people and environment.
The environment we live in, is fast developing by the day and new ideas are springing up. All the ideas are being executed on the environment by man.
The quest for knowledge by man begins with a closer look at his environment. His inspiration to try out something new comes from various abilities.
To critically survey his environment, carefully identify a need, consciously utilize his available resources to provide solutions to the needs identified.
Some of the needs identified by man are the need for creation of technologies, building resort centers, more companies etc.
In the process of utilizing the available resources to turn these ideas into reality, the environment has to be exploited and utilized to the fullest. This in turns expose it to environmental hazards, floods, pollutions etc.
Of course, it eventually affects the humans living in the environment. For instance, governments that destroys some trees and plants in the name of expansion and urbanization causes adverse effects on the environment.
Companies that build resorts as a means of holiday trips into the deepest woods in the world exploit the nature and environment beyond safe limits.
This also takes its great toll on the environment. As a result of this, wild animals could get into villages and attack humans.
This explains that man has to be reminded of the fact that he needs his environment to be in good shape for him to be safe as well.
As much as he wants to execute his ideas, he also has to put into consideration the state of his environment to avoid misuse of resources.
He has to be committed towards developing his environment beyond exploiting it. Only with this, can he ensure safety for himself and his environment.
Man rules the world. He is the Lord that dominates his surroundings. He’s the spice that keeps his environment going. As a salt, he brings out the taste of his environment. He is the light of his world.
However, the environment also defines a man to a measure. It brings out the best of a mans ability. The environment showcases a man’s strength. It reflects his commitment to it.
A look at a man’s environment tells us virtually everything we need to know about him. It is a direct display of the level of a man’s strength, hard work, flaws etc. His existence practically also depends on his environment.
The environment provides his food, clothing and every other basic thing that makes life worth living for him. In fact, man’s environment dictates his survival.
While man determines the extent to which the environment can survive, the environment also dictates the extent to which man survives.
Overall, the relationship between man and his environment could be referred to that of a superior and a subordinate. Or even a mutual relationship, where there is giving and receiving.
Man gives to and receives from his environment. While the environment also receives from and gives to man.
The Man inputs into the environment while the environment yields output to man. Every of a man’s output becomes a form of input into the environment. Just like every of the environments output turns into an input for man.
Every product that has materialized today, is as a result of the input and output of man and his environment.
There cannot be a superior if there is no subordinate. Similarly, there cannot be a subordinate if there is no superior.
As a matter of fact, there cannot be a functional person if there is no environment. Conversely, there cannot be a living and habitable environment if there are no people living in it.
The environment has to solely depend on people for continuous existence. While people have to depend on the environment for continuous survival. Hence reflecting a shared commitment.
I’d love to read your feedbacks on this article. Please share your thoughts!
