Cronon, Thoreau et l’idée de la nature sauvage

Abstract

This essay seeks to reconsider William Cronon's well-known critique of the wilderness idea in "The Trouble with Wilderness," which has been most influential for the past twenty years. While Cronon's deconstructive approach has usefully drawn attention to some problems inherent in the notion of wilderness, I will argue that the historian was carried away by his hostility to the "Deep Ecology" movement to the point of failing to acknowledge the intellectual validity and creative power of this challenging idea.

Keywords

• patrimoine
• William Cronon
• loisirs
• nature sauvage
• parcs nationaux
• protection de la nature