Ecological Civilization and Confucian Values
'Ecological Civilization and Confucian Values' Abstract
Title: “Ecological Civilization and Confucian Values”
Author: Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University
Abstract:
“Ecological Civilization” indicates that something more is required in the great transformations ahead for a flourishing Earth community. For many people this implies a paradigm shift toward an ecocentric worldview, rather than an anthropocentric worldview. There are various movements and people who have contributed to this call for such a shift over the last few decades both in China and the west. This involves drawing on philosophical and religious traditions for shaping a broader environmental ethics and transformative action. A dynamic, ever-changing China is recovering traditional cultural roots amid modern economic development and environmental challenges. The Chinese are reviving their own traditions of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism for ecological wisdom. This paper will explore the contributions of Confucian thought to environmental ethics in China.
