Loving human beings: A systems view of nature and our wellbeing

Time spent in nature has the ability to imbue us with wellbeing. What is it about this phenomenon, that we experience wellbeing within the matrix of the natural world? What are the phylogenetic and ontological qualities in the structural coupling of humans and nature that elicit our wellbeing? This study, rooted in previous research, is a philosophical exploration to further establish an understanding of the wellbeing we experience from communing with nature. Based in systems philosophy, I will conceptualize the health-engendering effects derived from nature with particular focus given to areas including knowledge, emotions, language, relationships, love, and the sacredness of the natural world. My results reinforce the desirability of re-envisioning what we conceive both human beings and nature to be, along with how we want to actualize our relations within the web of nature to create a future of wellbeing.