Building Ecological Culture, Showcasing Ecological Wisdom
589
instance, nature provides the resources to sustain the existence and development of
human beings and other living things. Its internal value, on the other hand, refers to
the value and meaning of the ecosystem not as a tool, but in its own right. The internal
value of nature can be further divided into three levels. On the first level, with all kinds
of beings in the ecosystem as objects, nature is valuable and meaningful for keeping
the whole ecosystem stable, complete and in order. On the second level, different
species in the ecosystem have a relation of values. On the third level, beings of the
same species have a relation of values among themselves. Man has the obligation to
protect and promote the beings with internal values, and to maintain and promote the
integrity and stability of the ecosystem with internal values. On the practical level,
nature’s values are objective and subjective at the same time.
Famous American ecological ethicist Holmes Rolston said, “The creativity of
natural system is the mother of value. All creations by nature only have value in
the sense that they are the materialization of natural creativity. Value is wherever
spontaneous creation is.” Value is “such that it can create differences conducive
to organisms, enriches the ecosystem and makes it more beautiful, diverse, harmonious and complicated.” According to Rolston, nature evolves in the direction of
value generation. We don’t endow value on nature; nature gifts us with values. He
categorized nature’s values into a long list of types, including economic value, lifesupporting value, recreational value, scientific value, aesthetic value, life value, value
in diversity and uniformity, value in stability and spontaneity, dialectical value (of
conflicts), and value of religious symbolism. According to him, the first five types can
be grouped under the first and second category, which are subject to man’s subjective
judgment, while the last five types can be classified in the third category, which are
determined by nature itself. “When nature is taking form, the outcome—in the form
of the whole nature—is the source of value.”
We must recognize the value of natural resources by putting a cost on them,
implement the paid use of them and establish a sound system for that—this is an
important measure to protect resources. “Oceans, lakes, mountains, forests and wet
soils contain more values than individual animals,” said Callicot.
In a traditional society, man needs nature more in the existential sense; but in
the modern society, nature not only meets human needs for existence, but also for
enjoyment and development.
Natural right refers to the right of natural objects or the natural right of beings. It
is an intrinsic right of natural beings that exists according to ecological laws and is
respected by man. Endowing or recognizing natural right isn’t to increase nature’s
obligations to man, but the other way round – increasing man’s obligations to nature,
for the purpose of protecting the environment.
“Heaven and earth have no heart. Man is their heart.” Man is the conscience of
nature. To protect our home on earth and protect biodiversity, man should respect
natural rights and affirm that the rights of all living beings are inviolable.
589
instance, nature provides the resources to sustain the existence and development of
human beings and other living things. Its internal value, on the other hand, refers to
the value and meaning of the ecosystem not as a tool, but in its own right. The internal
value of nature can be further divided into three levels. On the first level, with all kinds
of beings in the ecosystem as objects, nature is valuable and meaningful for keeping
the whole ecosystem stable, complete and in order. On the second level, different
species in the ecosystem have a relation of values. On the third level, beings of the
same species have a relation of values among themselves. Man has the obligation to
protect and promote the beings with internal values, and to maintain and promote the
integrity and stability of the ecosystem with internal values. On the practical level,
nature’s values are objective and subjective at the same time.
Famous American ecological ethicist Holmes Rolston said, “The creativity of
natural system is the mother of value. All creations by nature only have value in
the sense that they are the materialization of natural creativity. Value is wherever
spontaneous creation is.” Value is “such that it can create differences conducive
to organisms, enriches the ecosystem and makes it more beautiful, diverse, harmonious and complicated.” According to Rolston, nature evolves in the direction of
value generation. We don’t endow value on nature; nature gifts us with values. He
categorized nature’s values into a long list of types, including economic value, lifesupporting value, recreational value, scientific value, aesthetic value, life value, value
in diversity and uniformity, value in stability and spontaneity, dialectical value (of
conflicts), and value of religious symbolism. According to him, the first five types can
be grouped under the first and second category, which are subject to man’s subjective
judgment, while the last five types can be classified in the third category, which are
determined by nature itself. “When nature is taking form, the outcome—in the form
of the whole nature—is the source of value.”
We must recognize the value of natural resources by putting a cost on them,
implement the paid use of them and establish a sound system for that—this is an
important measure to protect resources. “Oceans, lakes, mountains, forests and wet
soils contain more values than individual animals,” said Callicot.
In a traditional society, man needs nature more in the existential sense; but in
the modern society, nature not only meets human needs for existence, but also for
enjoyment and development.
Natural right refers to the right of natural objects or the natural right of beings. It
is an intrinsic right of natural beings that exists according to ecological laws and is
respected by man. Endowing or recognizing natural right isn’t to increase nature’s
obligations to man, but the other way round – increasing man’s obligations to nature,
for the purpose of protecting the environment.
“Heaven and earth have no heart. Man is their heart.” Man is the conscience of
nature. To protect our home on earth and protect biodiversity, man should respect
natural rights and affirm that the rights of all living beings are inviolable.