Material Faith: Thoreau on Science

by Henry David Thoreau and Laura Dassow Walls

Book Overview

Thoreau developed ideas fundamental to ecology fifty years before that word was coined. He called for a science that would join man and nature-a "conscience," a moral knowledge founded on material faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395948002
• ISBN13: 9780395948002
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.8" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

A Peek into the Insight behind Thoreau's Philosophy

Henry Thoreau is an intriguing philosopher whose views are derived from his observation of nature and the conflicts between the cold unemotional aspects of science and the warm aesthetic elements of poetry. Material Faith is a collection of journal entries that outline Thoreau's thought process that led to his renowned conclusions. Having written his observations in the mid 19th century, many of Thoreau's scientific understanding seems primitive by today's standards, yet his revelations are timeless. Thoreau explained that, "The question is not what you look at - but how you look & whether you see." He indeed saw much about the nature of this world that science neglects. This piece represents only a small portion of Thoreau's philosophy, but it fully delivers. Anyone with an interest in nature and/or philosophy will appreciate this book from start to finish.