From:  Jeff Barnett <jbb@notatt.com>
Date:  29 Oct 2024 09:50:19 Hong Kong Time
Newsgroup:  news.alt119.net/sci.lang
Subject:  

Re: Raymond Williams's [Keywords]

NNTP-Posting-Host:  null

On 10/28/2024 4:54 PM, HenHanna wrote:
> Raymond Williams said that the word [nature]  was used differently in
> the past?
> 
>             Yes, Raymond Williams, a prominent cultural theorist,
> discussed the concept of "nature" and how its meaning has evolved over
> time.
> 
> In his work, particularly in Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and
> Society, Williams noted that the word "nature" originally encompassed a
> broader range of meanings, including one's inherent qualities and the
> essence of a thing.
> 
>             Historically, "nature" was often associated with the idea of
> the natural world and human beings' place within it, including moral and
> social dimensions.
> 
>           Over time, the term became more narrowly focused on the
> physical environment and the biological aspects of life, often
> separating human culture from the natural world.
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> 
>          Here are some key examples from   Raymond Williams's  Keywords
> that illustrate his observations about the historical usage of specific
> terms:
> 
> ______________Culture:
> 
> Original Meaning: Initially related to agriculture (from the Latin
> cultura), referring to the cultivation of the earth.
> 
> Evolution:    Over time, it expanded to include the arts, intellectual
> achievements, and the overall way of life of a society.
> 
> 
> ______________Democracy:
> 
> Historical Context:    Originally referred to the rule of the people in
> ancient Greece.
> 
> Current Usage:      The term has evolved to encompass various forms of
> governance, often associated with rights, representation, and
> participation, reflecting struggles for civil rights and social justice.
> 
> 
> ______________Nature:
> 
> Etymology:    Traditionally related to the inherent qualities or essence
> of things.
> 
> Shift:     In contemporary usage, it often refers specifically to the
> physical environment, separating it from human culture, which contrasts
> with its broader historical interpretation.
> 
> 
> ______________Class:
> 
> Initial Connotation:     Originally denoted a group or category based on
> shared characteristics.
> 
> Modern Understanding:     The term has developed to encompass
> socio-economic divisions and conflicts, reflecting the dynamics of
> power, privilege, and identity in society.
> 
> 
> ______________Industry:
> 
> Early Use:    Initially referred to diligence and hard work.
> 
> Contemporary Meaning:       Now primarily associated with manufacturing
> and economic production, often linked to discussions of labor,
> capitalism, and economic structures.
> 
> 
> ______________Community:
> 
> Original Sense:     Related to common ownership or shared interests.
> 
> Current Interpretation:      The concept has become more complex, often
> reflecting various social and cultural identities, as well as issues of
> belonging and exclusion.
> 
> 
> ______________Freedom:
> 
> Historical Roots:     Originally linked to the idea of being free from
> bondage or constraint.
> 
> Modern Nuances:        Today, it encompasses various dimensions,
> including political rights, personal autonomy, and economic freedom,
> highlighting ongoing struggles and differing interpretations.

I believe that at sometime in the past, the term implied/included human 
waste products (toilet) and their production. I seem to remember this 
usage in some things I have read but can't recall specific examples.
-- 
Jeff Barnett