On Van der Leeuw's “Culture.” 2/10/11 Nicole Voyles

Van der Leeuw says culture is “the movement of man through nature.” Keeping that in mind, man uses nature to suit his needs and whims. He changes it and strikes it down when he feels necessary. There are three ways he moves through it: 1. He overcomes it by mastering aspects of it. 2. He enthusiastically controls his dependance on nature by either allowing himself to be ruled or rule it. And 3. He seeks a place, outside of the course of the world to allow for contemplation and observations of the world. The third option can be viewed in several lights, however I will attempt to stick with only one which is a meditative observation. He sets himself outside nature in his mind so that objectivity can be obtained if needed. He can then ponder the things and people in the world so that purging can occur. He can only from this place in himself, be a creator of art in any form. He can create music, sculpture, science even, from his vantage point above nature, outside the flux of the world. I like to think I can get to that place of calm peace outside the chaos of nature. Van der Leeuw's paradise is a good place to be, I think. A safe walled garden is exactly where I would like to be if I need to think or create.