Distaste for the Untamed or Sublime in Nature - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Distaste for the Untamed or Sublime in Nature, a sentiment seemingly at odds with the modern reverence for wilderness, refers to a pervasive aesthetic preference dominant during the Neoclassical period (17th and 18th centuries), particularly reflected in its poetry. Often misconstrued as a complete rejection of nature, it represents instead a yearning for order, control, and a perceived perfection achievable only through human intervention. This sensibility, sometimes dubbed a "cultivated aesthetic" or, dismissively, "anti-Romantic," highlights a suspicion of uncontrolled natural forces and a celebration of landscapes shaped by reason and artifice.
Evidence of this preference surfaces clearly in the garden designs and literary descriptions of the era. As early as the mid-17th century, letters from prominent figures such as Alexander Pope reveal a conscious effort to reshape natural landscapes into geometrically precise forms. Pope’s own Twickenham garden stands as a testament to this impulse. Intriguingly, this coincided with a period of intellectual ferment, fueled by the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and scientific understanding – a climate where untamed nature was frequently viewed as chaotic and potentially dangerous.
As the 18th century progressed, this preference manifested in literature through idealized pastoral scenes and odes praising the structured beauty of formal gardens, contrasting sharply with later Romantic portrayals of wild, untamed landscapes. Figures like Capability Brown, renowned for "improving" country estates, dramatically reshaped the English countryside, reflecting a cultural imperative to impose order onto perceived natural chaos. This era witnessed intriguing debates about aesthetics, with some dissenting voices cautiously advocating for a measured appreciation of the wild, sowing the seeds for the ensuing Romantic movement.
The legacy of this "distaste" persists, subtly influencing how we perceive landscape and our relationship with the environment. Contemporary urban planning, with its emphasis on controlled green spaces, echoes this historical preference. Even modern discussions of environmental management are framed, though often unconsciously, by the tension between preserving the untamed and shaping nature to meet human needs. To what extent does our inherent desire for order shape not only our landscapes, but our very understanding of nature itself?