Catalogue

"In October, 1838, that is, fifteen months after I had begun my systematic enquiry, I happened to read for amusement 'Malthus on Population,' and being well prepared to appreciate the struggle for existence which everywhere goes on from long-continued observation of the habits of animals and plants, it at once struck me that under these circumstances favorable variations would tend to be preserved, and unfavorable ones to be destroyed. The result of this would be the formation of new species."

Charles Darwin, 1887

Philosophy of Nature Books, 1811-1993

Huizinga, Johan. Homo ludens : proeve eener bepaling van het spel-element der cultuur. Haarlem: H. D. Tjeenk Willink, 1940.
Russell, Bertrand. Mysticism and logic. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 1929.
Benda, Julien. La Trahison des Clercs [The Betrayal of the Intellect]. From Printing and the Mind of Man, Paris: Grasset, 1927.
Signature of Julien Benda. As included in La Trahison des Clercs [The Betrayal of the Intellect]. From Printing and the Mind of Man, Paris: Grasset, 1927.
McTaggart, John McTaggart Ellis. The Nature of Existence. Cambridge, England: The University Press, 1921-1927.

Information and Credits

The collection's focus is on material that illuminates the ways in which humans have conceptualized their place in the natural world as well as their relationship to nature, both individually and as societies. The theme is inclusive, but takes as its central core the reconceptualization of humans and nature that occurred during the 19th century with the ideas and discoveries of, among others, Kant, Darwin, and Huxley. The collection also documents the effects of industrialization on Western society. Comprised chiefly of books and manuscripts, the Philosophy of Nature Collection was acquired through the generosity of a grant from Michal and William Rieckmann.

Quantity

25 linear feet; 80 items