(Question about East and West) The third series of comments on the roots of civilization: Why is the view of nature of "the unity of man and nature" more and more admired?

　　China News Service, Beijing, November 10th, title: Why is the view of nature of "the unity of man and nature" more and more admired?

　　China News Agency reporter Wen Longjie

　　The history of development and civilization of human society is, in the final analysis, a history of the relationship between man and nature.

"Ecological prosperity leads to the prosperity of civilization, and ecological decline leads to the decline of civilization." In the face of how to deal with the relationship between man and nature, the concept and practice of the "community of human and natural life" rooted in China's unique civilized characteristics have received increasing attention and admiration.

　　How to understand the relationship between man and nature, that is, the view of nature, the philosophical starting points of Eastern and Western civilizations are different.

　　Needham pointed out that when it comes to dealing with nature, Western thought oscillates between two worlds: one is the world regarded as an automaton, which operates according to programmed procedures; the other is the theological world, which operates according to the will of God.

Data map: "Human and Natural Life Community" Art Exhibition.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Jiaxian

　　No matter which world it is “swinged” to, in the West, people are not part of nature, but objects that are known, used, and transformed by people.

This kind of subject-object dichotomy is conducive for humans to boldly break through ignorance and stereotypes, and discover and master the laws of nature, but its disadvantage is that it makes people overconfident and demanding, and ultimately confronts nature.

　　China's view of nature is "different."

　　In terms of epistemology, traditional Chinese thinking advocates "the unity of nature and man" when considering the relationship between man and nature.

"Man" is not something other than "heaven", so there is no such thing as opposition.

The most representative one is "Heaven and Earth live side by side with me, and everything is one with me" stated in "Zhuangzi·Qiwulun".

Zhang Zai talked more clearly in "Xi Ming": People are in nature (the universe), people (human beings) are compatriots, and all things are of the same kind, that is, "the people are my compatriots, and things are my fellows."

　　In terms of practice, it is similar to Western philosophy, and Chinese philosophy also emphasizes "knowing the sky."

As Lao Tzu said: "Man follows the earth, the earth follows the heaven, the heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows the nature." But after understanding and understanding the "heaven", Chinese philosophy is not directed at the use and transformation, but "nothing violates nature." , "It is in harmony with the heaven and earth, with the sun and the moon, and its order with the four seasons."

Data map: Laozi Square in Hanguguan, Lingbao, Henan.

Kan Lishe

　　Out of the reflection on the western concept of nature since modern times and the concern about the contemporary human existence dilemma, Marxism also emphasizes the interdependence of man and nature.

Marx pointed out, “As long as there are people, natural history and human history restrict each other.” Engels reminded that one should not be overly intoxicated in the victory over nature. For every victory, “nature takes revenge on us”.

This has been organically combined with China’s traditional view of nature, such as "harmonious symbiosis between man and nature", "green water and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains", and "human and nature are the community of life" and other major theoretical results. These emphasized The dialectics of the dialectical unity of man and nature and the mutual benefit of symbiosis provide ideological weapons for understanding the current ecological problems. China's symptomatic prescriptions are becoming more and more widely recognized by the international community.

　　Philosophers interpret the world in different ways. The problem is to change the world.

In the face of unprecedented difficulties in global environmental governance, the international community should take the courage to take responsibility and work together to build a community of human and natural life.

With a deep respect for nature, respecting nature, conforming to nature, and protecting nature, the future of "the unity of nature and man" can be expected.

(over)