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 |
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Moderator/Chair: | Undine Ott, Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa (GWZO), Leipzig |
Paper 1015-a | Intervening in Geography and History: Roger Bacon, Clement IV, and Franciscan Rationalities (Language: English) Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Monasticism, Religious Life, Science |
Paper 1015-b | Weird Weather?: Morality, Climate, and Consequence in a 14th-Century Chinese Collection (Language: English) Index terms: Language and Literature - Comparative, Language and Literature - Other, Mentalities, Political Thought |
Paper 1015-c | Al-Razi's Approach to Natural Theology and Man in Tafsir Mafatih al-Ghayb (Language: English) 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. |