A Definition for Wildness

Abstract

This article considers definitions of wildness as a system that produces wilderness and wild things. Wildness is defined as a quality of interactive processing between an organism and its surroundings in which the realities of base natures are met, allowing the construction of durable systems. Wildness is a process that has become an otherness to humans but nevertheless remains a source of insight and inspiration. In seeking to define wildness, a distinction is made between wildness and naturalness so that, while everything is natural, the quality of wildness can vary or become dysfunctional. In relation to wildness, an organism's internal quality is improved through the parsimonious arrangement and coordination of one's adaptations and internal drivers, while its external quality is achieved through attunement with one's surroundings. With wildness, an organism gains internal clarity, thereby presenting a consistent face or purpose to which other organisms can adapt. In comparison, the rejection of wildness and the use of artificial systems produce a confused and unstable basis for internal and external interaction, resulting in rapid change. The inability of humans to be wild in our social system is due to confusion about the drivers in our biological core that foils attempts at attunement.