Natural by Alan Levinovitz

Natural by Alan Levinovitz

Illuminates the far-reaching harms of believing that natural means good, from misinformation about health choices to justifications for sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies.

People love what's natural: it's the best way to eat, the best way to parent, even the best way to act--naturally, just as nature intended. Appeals to the wisdom of nature are among the most powerful arguments in the history of human thought. Yet Nature (with a capital N) and natural goodness are not objective or scientific. In this groundbreaking book, scholar of religion Alan Levinovitz demonstrates that these beliefs are actually religious and highlights the many dangers of substituting simple myths for complicated realities. It may not seem like a problem when it comes to paying a premium for organic food. But what about condemnations of unnatural sexual activity? The guilt that attends not having a natural birth? Economic deregulation justified by the inherent goodness of natural markets?

In Natural, readers embark on an epic journey, from Peruvian rainforests to the backcountry in Yellowstone Park, from a natural bodybuilding competition to a natural cancer-curing clinic. The result is an essential new perspective that shatters faith in Nature's goodness and points to a better alternative. We can love nature without worshipping it, and we can work toward a better world with humility and dialogue rather than taboos and zealotry.

Alan Levinovitz is a religion studies associate professor at James Madison University. His work has appeared in Wired, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Aeon, Vox, Slate, and other publications, in addition to academic journals.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780807010877
ISBN 10	0807010871
Title	Natural
Author	Alan Levinovitz
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Beacon Press
Year published	2020-04-07
Number of pages	264
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.