The article explores Immanuel Kant's reflections on the beauty of nature and contrasts this with today's proliferation of artificial replicas. Despite the growing popularity of synthetic experiences, such as faux plants and indoor tropical resorts, research highlights that genuine encounters with nature significantly enhance mental well-being, a benefit that artificial alternatives cannot provide. The piece also discusses how philosophers like Aristotle viewed natural beings as satisfying a deep human curiosity about the world, underscoring the timeless value of real nature compared to its replicated forms.
Experiencing real nature, from having houseplants to gardening, has unparalleled mental health benefits that are significantly diminished in the case of artificial experiences of nature.
Philosophers long ago identified an unexpected pleasure of natural beings: they satisfy the human desire to understand. Aristotle thought that asking Why? can lead to one of the greatest human delights.
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