Now, begging the question, "What is nature? Nature is existence-lthe sum of that which is. It is called "nature", when we think of it as a system of interconnected, interacting entities governed by law. So, "nature" really means the universe of entities acting and interacting in accordance with their identities." Peikoff
Man is a 'universal.' Say Tom, is an individual, a particular. In general, universals are easier game for the destroyer than particulars: the predicate belongs to none or not to some, they are destroyed, and the particular negative is proved in all the figures. It is easier to refute than to establish.
Anyway, the simplest statement one could made of man regarding nature is 'Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.' To be commanded means to be made to serve man's purposes. 'To be obeyed' means that they cannot be served unless man discovers properties of natural elements & uses them accordingly. (This is reasoned fact).
E.x: 500 years ago, ask any man if man could ever fly, walk on the moon, hear a human voice from a distance, etc. He would say, "Nonsense." You are insane!