Natural forces become historical only through social creation and use

Evidence

Can it be claimed that this mechanical power existed before it was harnessed by man-made machines? Might it not be said in a sense, and up to a certain point, that what nature provides the opportunity for are not discoveries and inventions of preexisting forces—of pre-existing qualities of matter—but “creations”, which are closely linked to the interests of society and to the development and further necessities of development of the forces of production? — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1648

Categorization

• DEFINE: Gramsci’s key move: nature’s forces are not pre-existing qualities to be discovered but ‘creations’ tied to social interests — the natural is fully historicized.
• XREF: connects to: Political change becomes social change only through redirecting technology — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 801; Natural forces become historically operative only when production harnesses them — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1649