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IMC 2021: Sessions

Session 1015: Before the Anthropocene, I: Medieval Concepts of Interdependent Human-Nature Relations

Wednesday 7 July 2021, 09.00-10.30

Organiser:Martin Bauch, Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa, Leipzig
Moderator/Chair:Undine Ott, Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa (GWZO), Leipzig
Paper 1015-aIntervening in Geography and History: Roger Bacon, Clement IV, and Franciscan Rationalities
(Language: English)
John Sabapathy, St John's College, University of Oxford
Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Monasticism, Religious Life, Science
Paper 1015-bWeird Weather?: Morality, Climate, and Consequence in a 14th-Century Chinese Collection
(Language: English)
Geoffrey Humble, Department of History, University of Birmingham
Index terms: Language and Literature - Comparative, Language and Literature - Other, Mentalities, Political Thought
Paper 1015-cAl-Razi's Approach to Natural Theology and Man in Tafsir Mafatih al-Ghayb
(Language: English)
Bilal Ahmad, Department of Comparative Religion, International Islamic University, Islamabad
Index terms: Islamic and Arabic Studies, Philosophy, Science, Theology
Abstract

The distinction between the course of nature and the course of history is a modern one. Medieval societies all over the world were already able to think reflexively on their impact on environment. Indeed, they assumed that human behavior influenced natural conditions, particularly weather, mediated by religious concepts that crossed into the spheres of politics and economy. Both European and non-European societies accepted that 'bad' human actions would backlash in inclement weather while 'good' behavior would lead to benevolent conditions. This relationship has been interpreted by historians rather simplistically as a 'retributive theology', while it held much greater social implications.