The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity Tracing the Roots of Colonialism, Secularity, and Ecology
Book contents
- The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity
- The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part I Making Sense of the State of Nature
- 1 What Is the State of Nature?
- 2 The Imaginary Worlds of the State of Nature
- 3 The Theoretical Figures of the State of Nature
- Part II Making Sense through the State of Nature
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
1 - What Is the State of Nature?
from Part I - Making Sense of the State of Nature
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 November 2025
Book contents
- The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity
- The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part I Making Sense of the State of Nature
- 1 What Is the State of Nature?
- 2 The Imaginary Worlds of the State of Nature
- 3 The Theoretical Figures of the State of Nature
- Part II Making Sense through the State of Nature
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Abstract: This chapter explores the semantic and conceptual complexity of the state of nature, presenting thirteen different meanings of the term, showing how it functions as a myth, inflecting perennial human themes, and as a part of a social imaginary, conditioning lived experience. The chapter argues that understanding the importance of the state of nature in Western modernity requires an appreciation of each of these three dimensions.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The State of Nature and the Shaping of ModernityTracing the Roots of Colonialism, Secularity, and Ecology, pp. 27 - 74Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
Accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AAA
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
The PDF of this book
complies with version 2.2 of the
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG), offering more comprehensive accessibility measures for a broad range
of users and attains the highest
(AAA)
level of WCAG compliance, optimising the user experience by meeting the most extensive
accessibility guidelines.
Content Navigation
Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Reading Order & Textual Equivalents
Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
Visual Accessibility
Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
Use of high contrast between text and background colour
You benefit from high‐contrast text, which improves legibility if you have low vision or if you are reading in less‐than‐ideal lighting conditions.
You benefit from high‐contrast text, which improves legibility if you have low vision or if you are reading in less‐than‐ideal lighting conditions.