If Human Ecology is the favorable environment for the development and fulfillment of the human person, to create that environment we must know the nature of the human being. The very word “nature” has meanings to be distinguished and an ancient philosophical and theological discussion.

The most common use of “nature” refers to “environment” and more precisely to what is neither human nor divine. This includes flora and fauna, natural resources, etc. Another use of the term is to speak of the “nature” of something, and here we refer to what is proper to it from its birth (natura). Here it fits, talking about the nature of the mineral gold, or the dog, or even a tool like the hammer. In this usage, nature defines an ‘essence’ that includes both a way of being and a purpose (telos in Greek) – that of the hammer, used to drive nails. In this use, talking about the “nature” of man refers us to that old discussion.

The key to the discussion is often confusing because it uses the term in its two senses: if the nature of man is only natural (understood as organic matter, animal) or not. Positions that recognize man only his material nature justified totalitarian regimes that provided bread and a roof but denied freedom, as an unnecessary luxury. On the other hand, thinking that man is only or primarily spiritual leads to neglecting his material needs. Trying to solve this tension, the human being was spoken of as having two natures, one “natural” and the other “supernatural.”

Our own and everyday experience shows us that our nature has these two dimensions: the natural, corporeal, with its very specific needs and the supernatural, spiritual and moral where our freedom resides to choose what we judge to be good or bad and the capacity to loving others and even communicating with the divine.

These two dimensions are intertwined. To the material need of another I can respond with compassion or indifference, spiritual attitudes. Having someone relieve my physical pain can elicit gratitude. Physical suffering has been the inspiration for sublime works of art. Spiritual diseases such as pride and envy have caused wars causing enormous material and moral damage. An authentically human environment must harmonize and ensure the two dimensions: the material and the spiritual.