Nature things, often referred to as natural things, encompass all things without mankind's interference which are self-formed by nature. These elements are fundamental components of our universe, existing independently of human creation or alteration.
Understanding the Essence of Natural Things
The core definition highlights several critical aspects that define natural things:
- Absence of Human Interference: A primary characteristic is that natural things exist without mankind's interference. This means they are not designed, built, or significantly modified by human hands. Their existence and form are solely a result of natural processes.
- Self-Formed by Nature: Natural things are self-formed by nature. They emerge through geological, biological, meteorological, or astronomical processes over time, rather than through human engineering or manufacturing.
- Living or Nonliving: Natural things can be either alive or nonliving. This broad scope includes everything from microscopic organisms to vast celestial bodies.
- Nature's Gifts: They are considered nature's gifts, emphasizing their intrinsic value and the fact that they are bestowed upon the Earth through natural phenomena.
- Incapability of Human Creation: A definitive trait is that these things cannot be created by human beings. While humans can manipulate natural resources to create new products (e.g., turning wood into furniture), the original natural thing (the tree itself) cannot be manufactured.
Examples of Natural Things
Natural things surround us and form the backbone of our planet's ecosystems and landscapes. They can be broadly categorized into living and nonliving components:
- Living Natural Things (Biotic):
- Animals (e.g., lions, birds, fish, insects)
- Plants (e.g., trees, flowers, grasses, algae)
- Fungi (e.g., mushrooms, yeasts)
- Microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses)
- Nonliving Natural Things (Abiotic):
- Landforms (e.g., mountains, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, volcanoes)
- Atmospheric elements (e.g., air, clouds, rain, snow, wind, lightning)
- Minerals and Rocks (e.g., gold, diamonds, granite, sandstone)
- Energy sources (e.g., sunlight, geothermal heat)
- Celestial bodies (e.g., stars, planets, moons, asteroids)
Distinguishing Natural from Human-Made Things
To further clarify, it's helpful to compare natural things with items that are created or significantly altered by humans:
| Feature | Natural Things | Human-Made Things |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Self-formed by nature; no human intervention | Created, designed, or manufactured by humans |
| Creation Process | Natural processes (geological, biological, etc.) | Industrial processes, craftsmanship, engineering |
| Human Influence | None | Direct and intentional |
| Examples | Forests, oceans, clouds, wild animals, raw minerals | Houses, cars, clothing, smartphones, plastic bottles |
Understanding "nature things" is essential for appreciating the environment and recognizing the fundamental components of our world that exist independently of human influence.
