Conceptions About the Nature of America: Some Rounds

Abstract

We will seek revision of the category “American nature”, considering the analysis made by Williams (2012) and in the context of European conceptions about the New World (Gerbi, 1955/1975). Since the conquest of America, its natural territory has been the object of numerous theses by scholars in Europe, although the first scientific formulation goes back to Buffon, who in the 18th century, placed it at a lower level compared to the old continent. Several centuries of theorizations, reflections and debates gave rise to what later became known as “the dispute of the New World”. Buffonian theories, among others, helped to increase this extensive controversy. However, much later, the scientific advances and a new conception of the world and the natural order, placed the American continent in a new status. No longer understood as an inferior territory, but in relation to the different parts of the globe. The studies and advances made by the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt contributed to reposition America, in what later came to be called “a new discovery”. This was no longer conceived as “another” territory - qualitatively inferior - but as part of a global order - the cosmos - governed in all its zones by the same inanimated forces.