Traditional Ecological Awareness
in Confucianism
Shucong Zhao
“Studying Confucius and Confucianism is an important way to understand the nature
of the Chinese nation and the history of the spiritual world of modern Chinese.”
Confucianism is the prevalent and underlying thought of the Chinese nation which
still plays an important role in all aspects of social life today. The rich ecological
awareness contained in this broad and profound thought can be called traditional
Confucian ecological awareness, which has contributed significantly to the continuation of Chinese civilization over thousands of years. Making a systematic and
in-depth study of Confucian ecological awareness is of great importance in that it
will enlighten us in what kind of socialist ecological civilization to build and how
to build it, guide us in practicing the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization
with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and reinforce our cultural confidence.
According to Confucianism, the human society exists in a natural environment, from which it receives all the materials required to make living necessities,
and humanity itself is part of this environment. Based on this philosophy, Confucianism has developed a range of ecological principles including understanding and
respecting nature, protecting and making moderate use of it, planting trees for human
benefits and exercising restraint, people-centered ecological education, and affinity
and harmony between man and nature.
1 Understanding and Respecting Nature
“The Master said, ‘Young friends, why not study poetry. Odes may help spur aspirations, increase observation, teach you how to get along with others and voice your
complaints. Near at hand, they can guide you to serve your fathers; more distantly,
they can guide you to serve a ruler—and you can learn the names of many birds and
S. Zhao (B)
Chinese Society of Forestry, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_40
409
in Confucianism
Shucong Zhao
“Studying Confucius and Confucianism is an important way to understand the nature
of the Chinese nation and the history of the spiritual world of modern Chinese.”
Confucianism is the prevalent and underlying thought of the Chinese nation which
still plays an important role in all aspects of social life today. The rich ecological
awareness contained in this broad and profound thought can be called traditional
Confucian ecological awareness, which has contributed significantly to the continuation of Chinese civilization over thousands of years. Making a systematic and
in-depth study of Confucian ecological awareness is of great importance in that it
will enlighten us in what kind of socialist ecological civilization to build and how
to build it, guide us in practicing the Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization
with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and reinforce our cultural confidence.
According to Confucianism, the human society exists in a natural environment, from which it receives all the materials required to make living necessities,
and humanity itself is part of this environment. Based on this philosophy, Confucianism has developed a range of ecological principles including understanding and
respecting nature, protecting and making moderate use of it, planting trees for human
benefits and exercising restraint, people-centered ecological education, and affinity
and harmony between man and nature.
1 Understanding and Respecting Nature
“The Master said, ‘Young friends, why not study poetry. Odes may help spur aspirations, increase observation, teach you how to get along with others and voice your
complaints. Near at hand, they can guide you to serve your fathers; more distantly,
they can guide you to serve a ruler—and you can learn the names of many birds and
S. Zhao (B)
Chinese Society of Forestry, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_40
409