Xenobotany - Theory of Nature beyond earth.

[Txur’Itan]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/13.7/2011/04/19/135522782/if-theres-life-beyond-earth-does-it-change-our-sense-of-nature?sc=fb&cc=fp

[Alyara Arati]

Cool!  Thanks for the link.

I had a dream once where the sky was green, so the plants had evolved to be dark red, like the deeper kelps, but I didn't imagine black...

[Nyx]

I don't know.. to me all those things are already part of nature. A plant doesn't have to be green to be a plant, it doesn't even have to be carbon based. I also think rocks are part of nature, and they come in all kinds of forms and shapes.. and they're not just from Earth. The sun, too, is part of nature, and by extension so are the stars and the moon and gas giants.

So yeah, I don't really see what the big fuss is... Sure, such a find would give us new and amazing examples of what nature is and can do, but I don't think it'd take much re-evaluating. (more like.. celebrating ^^)

[Txur’Itan]

I don't know.. to me all those things are already part of nature. A plant doesn't have to be green to be a plant, it doesn't even have to be carbon based. I also think rocks are part of nature, and they come in all kinds of forms and shapes.. and they're not just from Earth. The sun, too, is part of nature, and by extension so are the stars and the moon and gas giants.

So yeah, I don't really see what the big fuss is... Sure, such a find would give us new and amazing examples of what nature is and can do, but I don't think it'd take much re-evaluating. (more like.. celebrating ^^)

I understand your perspective.  I think this article presupposes that only the more classical uses of the term nature applies in this context, and that philosophically additive meaning that includes non living things is still in debate.  The problem with this word's contemporary and colloquial uses is that it has been clouded with newer subjective interpretations of its meaning.  The list of definitions documented is a bit absurd in my opinion.  Even printed dictionaries have various meanings listed.  When a word has too many meanings I think it functionally becomes meaningless, more to the case here useless.

Nature (Wikipedia)

Spoiler: Wikipedia

Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general. It ranges in scale from the subatomic to the cosmic.
The word nature is derived from the Latin word natura, or "essential qualities, innate disposition", and in ancient times, literally meant "birth"

Merriam Webster Dicitonary

Spoiler: Merriam-Webster

1
a : the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : essence
b : disposition, temperament
2
a : a creative and controlling force in the universe
b : an inner force or the sum of such forces in an individual
3
: a kind or class usually distinguished by fundamental or essential characteristics <documents of a confidential nature> <acts of a ceremonial nature>
4
: the physical constitution or drives of an organism; especially : an excretory organ or function —used in phrases like the call of nature
5
: a spontaneous attitude (as of generosity)
6
: the external world in its entirety
7
a : humankind's original or natural condition
b : a simplified mode of life resembling this condition
8
: the genetically controlled qualities of an organism
9
: natural scenery

Dictionary.com

Spoiler: Dicitonary.com

–noun
1.
the material world, especially as surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities.
2.
the natural  world as it exists without human beings or civilization.
3.
the elements of the natural  world, as mountains, trees, animals, or rivers.
4.
natural  scenery.
5.
the universe, with all its phenomena.
6.
the sum total of the forces at work throughout the universe.
7.
reality, as distinguished from any effect of art: a portrait true to nature.
8.
the particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution; native or inherent character: human nature.
9.
the instincts or inherent tendencies directing conduct: a man of good nature.
10.
character, kind, or sort: two books of the same nature.
11.
characteristic disposition; temperament: a self-willed nature; an evil nature.
12.
the original, natural,  uncivilized condition of humankind.
13.
the biological functions or the urges to satisfy their requirements.
14.
a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state.
15.
a simple, uncluttered mode of life without the conveniences or distractions of civilization: a return to nature.
16.
( initial capital letter, italics ) a prose work (1836), by Ralph Waldo Emerson, expounding transcendentalism.
17.
Theology . the moral state as unaffected by grace.

[Nyx]

I didn't actually look for definitions to be honest, that's why I only talked about what I see as nature. But yes, if you look at the classical meaning, I guess it would take some change to include space, but I also think it could be a slow transition and that people will get used to it more and more. And I agree, it does have too many meanings, haha