Natural

How Faith in Nature's Goodness Leads to Harmful Fads, Unjust Laws, and Flawed Science

By: Alan Levinovitz

Narrated by: Joe McQuillan

Illuminates the far-reaching harms of believing that natural means "good", from misinformation about health choices to justifications for sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies.

People love what's natural: It's the best way to eat, the best way to parent, even the best way to act - naturally, just as nature intended. Appeals to the wisdom of nature are among the most powerful arguments in the history of human thought. Yet Nature (with a capital N) and natural goodness are not objective or scientific. In this groundbreaking book, scholar of religion Alan Levinovitz demonstrates that these beliefs are actually religious and highlights the many dangers of substituting simple myths for complicated realities. It may not seem like a problem when it comes to paying a premium for organic food. But what about condemnations of "unnatural" sexual activity? The guilt that attends not having a "natural" birth? Economic deregulation justified by the inherent goodness of "natural" markets?

In Natural, listeners embark on an epic journey, from Peruvian rainforests to the backcountry in Yellowstone Park, from a "natural" bodybuilding competition to a "natural" cancer-curing clinic. The result is an essential new perspective that shatters faith in Nature's goodness and points to a better alternative. We can love nature without worshiping it, and we can work toward a better world with humility and dialogue rather than taboos and zealotry.

©2020 Alan Levinovitz (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A useful stepping-off point for a relevant topic." (Kirkus Reviews)

"A nuanced plea for a more informed relationship with the natural world.... Evocative, convincing.... Rich with interviews, anecdotes, and citations, Levinovitz's work makes a strong case for the wisdom of compromise and humility." (Publishers Weekly)

"In a fascinating tour across time, cultures, and ideas, Alan Levinovitz shows us how the worship of an abstract idea of nature can lead us astray in everything from our health to the laws we pass and even how we structure our governments and our way of life. This book is required reading for anyone who wants to face the scientific and moral challenges of the twenty-first century with a clear head." (Tom Nichols, author of The Death of Expertise)

Poor narration ruined it

It’s a shame the author did not narrate himself, as I have seen him give lectures and he is a fantastic speaker. The narrator made this difficult to get through.

A grounded offering and much needed perspective

Alan Levinovitz presents a well rounded and very grounded perspective in this time of polarity and dogmatic brand allegience and lack of critical thought and a generally ubiquitous mob mentality. The book takes the reader through many examples of how our prejudices and suppositions leave us vulnerable to marketing exploitation and how we can implicitly adopt adages as new pseudo religions. A very worthwhile read.

Valuable read!

This book was on the background bookshelf of Anthony Fauci during a TV interview so I assumed it was worth reading, and it was. I am skeptical of theology as a discipline (since it seems that other disciplines do the most interesting stuff better) but this author puts it to good use, examining “natural”from a theological perspective. The reading is solid and does not distract from the text. I learned a lot.

very good

good content. i recommend ti anybody to get a proper view of the "natural" obsession.

Disappointed

Not nearly as insightful and engaging as on Joe Rogans podcast. Does not respect the readers intelligence.