A Comparison Between Confucius and James O’Connor’s Ecological Views

Abstract

Confronted by the most prominent issues of global ecological crisis and environmental disaster, humankind must find a way to survive and gain a better state of civilization with ecological sustainability. The study compares the ecological views of Confucius and James O’Connor (詹姆斯·奥康纳), exploring their common ground beneath their differences in quest of the positive factors contained therein. It finds that both Confucius and O’Connor held ecological views on nature, stressing the objective reality of nature, the intrinsic value of nature, and adherence to the law of nature; both upheld ecological ethics and expounded the close inseparable relationship between human beings and nature, emphasizing their interaction and mutual influence; both highlighted people’s ecological practice, recognizing nature’s limits and accentuating the rational control and prudent utilization of nature. These ideas of Confucius and O’Connor provide a useful reference for promoting the comprehensive green transformation of current economic and social development and upgrading global ecological civilization.