The Environmental Philosophy Of Engels

Environmental problem is getting more and more serious day after day, which causes us to take some practical measures to solve environmental pollution, keep ecological balance, and consider carefully the relationship between people and environment based on the theory aspects. Some philosophical thoughts in human history related to environment and nature are widely advocated, however, Marxism of environmental philosophy hasn't been paid enough attention. How to correctly understand the roots of environmental problem, propose some measures to protect the environment and the ways of utilizing resources rationally, we should deeply search for the Marxism of environmental philosophy.The environmental philosophy of Engels is an essential part of Marxism, which is crucial for considering the environmental problem and giving the approaches to solve it nowadays and evaluating properly various theories. The thesis is composed of three chapters: In the first chapter, based on the criticism of the metaphysical viewpoint towards natural and absorbing the viewpoint towards natural of German classical philosophy, Engels expounded his dialectical -materialistic viewpoint towards natural. Engels' viewpoint towards natural emerged under the peculiar historical conditions when England had just finished the industry revolutionary in the 19th century, which included mainly three parts: nature is in a developing and changing state continuously, the essential law of the nature is dialectics and the relationship between people and natural environment. In the second chapter, young Engels investigated the polluted condition on the air, water and living condition of urban residents according to his experience, analyzed the roots of cognition, stratum and society caused by environmental problem and proposed the measures. In the third chapter, a comparison of Engels' and Marx' theory of environmental philosophy is made and their difference of environmental theory is analyzed. The thesis evaluates the role of Engels' theory of environmental philosophy in Marxism. The paper discusses the significance of the environmental philosophy of Engels towards contemporary environmental philosophy. It helps us understand the controversy between human centralism and non-human centralism, the theory of animals' right and the role of science-technology playing in the environment. We may come to the conclusion that the environmental philosophy of Engels is in accordance with the sustainable development idea and scientific views of development.