L'avènement de la moralité et le rapport à la nature

According to Aristotelian philosophy, the nature of a being is a bundle of virtualities which, while realizing themselves, are susceptible ofbringing that being to perfection according to its own constitution : the moral mon is he who chooses to become what he is ; morality is the eminent, vital accomplishment. According to Gajilean and Cartesian physics, nature is reduced to an extension from which the spirit distinguishes itselfby measuring and dominating it. In reaction to this, Rousseau recognizes a poetic nature and aspires to lose himself in it ; further, he vénérâtes nature ail the more since it appears to escape from the malefïcient hold of civilization. Thus, by opposing methods, both Descartes and Rousseau séparât e nature and spirit. Aristotle can aid us to surpass this dichotomy which marks our time and to move towards reconciliation between man and nature, and between mon and his naturality. This implies surpassing the attitudes of pure technical manipulation as well as those ambiguous protestations which, ultimately, condemn ail interventions in the name of a new ethico-religious tabu.Étienne Jacques. L'avènement de la moralité et le rapport à la nature. In: Revue théologique de Louvain, 12ᵉ année, fasc. 3, 1981. pp. 316-323