The Nature of Nature: Engaging Arthur Petersen’s <em>Climate, God and Uncertainty</em>

In Climate, God and Uncertainty, Arthur Petersen proposes a position he calls “transcendental naturalism,” a philosophical framework rooted in Immanuel Kant’s critical philosophy and influenced by Heinrich Rickert and Bruno Latour. This philosophy aims to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and broader dimensions of human experience, including morality and the transcendent. While transcendental naturalism has many strengths, this commentary raises concerns about Petersen’s redefinition of nature to include transcendental values. Such a philosophically ambitious redefinition risks alienating scientists by introducing a counterintuitive definition of nature that diverges from conventional scientific practice. This commentary contends that Petersen’s key insights—the limitations of scientific materialism, the importance of intercultural dialogue, and the ineliminable role of values in human judgment—can be preserved without redefining nature. By maintaining a clear distinction between the natural world and human values, we can avoid needless metaphysical debates and foster more productive dialogue on global challenges like climate change.