Cultural myths of human and physical nature: integrated or separated?

Abstract

Cultural Theory distinguishes between myths of human and physical nature as two integrated aspects of four cultural biases: hierarchy, egalitarianism, individualism, and fatalism. These biases serve as individuals' key orientations toward, for example, risk perception, public policy, and political preference. Myths of human and physical nature draw upon different intellectual histories, and an epistemological merger between the two aspects is not unproblematic. A self-administered mail survey of organized environmentalists in Norway included the theory's graphical description of myths of physical nature and verbal descriptions of myths of human nature. The respondents understood the logic of the myths of physical nature well and did not have problems in ranking them, thereby disconfirming the theory's claim that any of the myths appear irrational from the perspective of any other. The empirical results show that respondents gave the highest priority to the hierarchical myth of physical nature and that they also endorsed the egalitarian myth of human nature. Although this outcome may appear irrational from a theoretical perspective, the authors argue that (Grid/group) Cultural Theory is best served by treating the myths of physical and human nature as logically independent of one another.