Inʻikāsāt al-Taḥawwul al-Barādīghmātī lil-Ḥadāthah fī Tashyī’ al-ʻĀlam al-Ṭabīʻī [Reflections of the Paradigmatic Shift of Modernity in the Reification of Natural World]

Abstract

This paper examines the paradigm shift of modernity and its impact on the human-nature relationship, focusing on the role of instrumental reason in shaping domination over nature and the resulting environmental crises. Modernity, as an epistemological and ontological framework, redefined nature from a meaningful, spiritual entity into a resource to be measured, controlled, and exploited. This “Great Separation” positioned human reason as the central reference for progress across scientific, political, legal, and social domains. The study traces the historical development from holistic medieval knowledge to technical rationality in Renaissance and early modern European thought, highlighting the contributions of philosophers such as Descartes and Francis Bacon. Instrumental reason emerged as a form of rationality focused on achieving specific goals through the most efficient means, often prioritizing control and utility over ethical or ecological considerations. The paper also analyzes the consequences of instrumental rationality on contemporary environmental issues, particularly climate change, demonstrating how the epistemic and technical control inherent in modernity contributes to ecological disruption. The findings underscore the need to integrate ethical reflection and sustainable values into scientific and technological practices, bridging the gap between human progress and environmental stewardship.