Biophilia

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=//__biophilia__// ~ a love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms **[|4] ** = = =

The term //biophilia //  was first proposed in 1984 by Harvard biologist, Dr. Edward Wilson, to describe the human love for nature and other lifeforms. [|3]  While it is a fairly new idea, biophilia has gained great attention through the green movement and other recent environmental crusades. Aside from its relation to environmental science however, the most fascinating aspect of biophilia is its correspondence to the psychology of human happiness. According to studies, in biophilic spaces, such as buildings designed to incorporate nature, student learning, patient recovery rates, retail sales and workplace productivity all improve significantly. [|2]  In addition, absenteeism among workers and students declines. [|2]  Research suggests that nature does in fact have a positive effect on human health, well being and mind set. Likewise, the depletion of natural elements can have a negative impact. Biophilia can be embraced by engaging in outdoor activities, using nature therapeutically, viewing nature (either actual nature or pictures), and adding plants to indoor environments. [|2]

=**Origins of Biophilia **= = =  The human race was not born into the life of luxury we live in today. [|6]  Paul Bloom, a New York Times journalist says, "There is a considerable mismatch between the world in which our minds evolved and our current existence. Our species has spent almost all of its existence on the African savanna. While there is debate over the details, we know for sure that our minds were not adapted to cope with a world of billions of people. The life of a modern city dweller, surrounded by strangers, is an evolutionary novelty. Thousands of years ago, there was no television or Internet, no McDonald’s, birth-control pills, Viagra, plastic surgery, alarm clocks, artificial lighting or paternity tests. Instead, there was plenty of nature. We lived surrounded by trees and water and animals and sky." [|7]  The natural instinct, the want to be around nature, is something every human may possess. This is where the theory of biophilia originated. Those who believe in biophilia, think parts of our history remains engrained in our minds. [|6] <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1.Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Well-Being? 2.@http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000664.html 3.@http://www.planterra.com/research/article_biophilia.php <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">4.www.dictionary.com <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5.@TheArtOfJoy.com 6.@http://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2007/07/social-biophilia-hypothesis-by-guest.html <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">7.@http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/new_york_times_the_case_for_natural_happiness