Abstract

Through an examination of such works at The Mirror of the Sea, Notes on Life and Letters, Nostromo, "The Secret Sharer," "Heart of Darkness," "The End of the Tether," and Lord Jim, it becomes evident that Conrad sets forth an ethical philosophy of work that is grounded in social ecology. From this perspective, the world possesses a soul--nature. Wind and sea express the forces of the world's soul. Sailing ships are a reflexive medium for nature. In order for sailing ships to serve as a reflexive medium, they must be maintained by seamen who possess a special knowledge of the sea. This knowledge is provided by the tradition of seamanship. Developments in technology and commerce threaten seamanship because they disrupt the relations between both ships and sea and seamen and ships. Despite the threat technology and commerce pose, however, Conrad has much for the survival of the spirit of seamanship