The Origin of Separation: How “Man vs. Nature” Became the Dominant Story

The idea that humans are separate from and superior to nature is so deeply embedded in modern society that we rarely stop to question it. From the way we talk about “conquering” mountains to the way we see forests as resources to be “managed,” this separation shapes how we live, work, and interact with the world. But this story—of “man vs. nature”—is not universal. It has a history, and it was made. Understanding where it came from can help us imagine a future where this divide no longer defines us.

The Roots of Separation

The separation of humans from nature can be traced back to the rise of Western thought, particularly during the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution in Europe. Thinkers like René Descartes famously declared, “I think, therefore I am,” defining existence as a product of the human mind and separating it from the physical world. This Cartesian dualism created a binary: humans as rational, thinking beings versus nature as inert, mechanistic, and separate.

At the same time, early European colonization and the expansion of capitalism framed the natural world as a resource to be controlled, extracted, and commodified. The land, animals, and even people were seen not as interconnected parts of a whole but as objects to dominate and exploit. This worldview justified the exploitation of Indigenous lands and peoples, whose relational ways of living were dismissed as “primitive” or “unscientific.”

Religious and Cultural Narratives

Religious traditions in the West also played a role in reinforcing this separation. The Christian doctrine of dominion over the Earth, as interpreted from the Bible, suggested that humans were given authority over nature to use it for their purposes. This narrative positioned humanity as separate from and superior to the rest of creation, further embedding the idea of a hierarchical relationship between man and nature.

These ideas weren’t just philosophical—they became the foundation of how societies were organized. Cities grew as centers of “civilization,” distancing people from rural and wild spaces. Industrialization deepened this divide, turning nature into a backdrop for human progress and a source of raw materials for growing economies.

The Consequences of Separation

This story of separation has had profound consequences. It has fueled environmental destruction, from deforestation to climate change, by framing the natural world as an object to be used rather than a living system we are part of. It has also fractured our sense of belonging—many of us feel disconnected from the land, the seasons, and even our own bodies.

On a personal level, this separation impacts how we view ourselves. By placing humans above nature, we lose the understanding that we are nature—our bodies, emotions, and communities are as much a part of the web of life as rivers and forests. This disconnection contributes to a sense of alienation and loss that permeates modern life.

Returning to Relationality

Not all cultures view the world this way. Indigenous traditions around the globe have long embraced relational ontologies that see humans as part of a larger web of life. In these worldviews, nature is not a resource but a relative, a source of wisdom, and a partner in sustaining life.

These perspectives invite us to unlearn the separation we’ve inherited and to see ourselves as deeply connected to the Earth and all its beings. Healing this divide means rejecting the binaries of “man vs. nature” and instead embracing a worldview of mutuality, where care for the land is inseparable from care for ourselves and our communities.

An Invitation to Reconnect

Reimagining our relationship with nature isn’t just about environmental sustainability—it’s about healing the stories that have shaped us. It’s about remembering that we are not above or outside the natural world; we are profoundly part of it. When we begin to see ourselves as kin to the land, water, and other beings, we open the door to a more just, compassionate, and balanced world.

How might your life change if you saw yourself not as separate from nature, but as one thread in its vast, intricate web? Let’s start weaving that story together.