Pre-Qin Confucian Ecological Ethics And Its Modern Values

Modern society is facing a serious ecological crisis, for the continuous worsening of environment and resources problems. Meanwhile, Confucian thoughts on ecological ethics take a particular aspect in the chase for sustainable development. Such ideas like harmony between nature and human, loving the people and creatures were presented by the ancient Chinese philosophers. All these ideas emphasize the harmonious relationship between human being and the nature, conforming to the core of modern ecological ethics. In fact, they were just the budding stage of sustainable development thoughts. These thoughts of wisdom are still sparking rather then fading, still providing inspiration for modern problems' solutions. This article sets to probe into the ethical valuation of Confucian thoughts in the current situation. Thoughts on ecological ethics from Confucian representatives like Confucius, Mencius and Hsun Tzu are discussed firstly in this article, with their historical limitations pointed out. Practical ecological problems are considered in the process of discussion. All researches done by this paper is to understand the Confucian ecological ethical thoughts, and then to use it in modern society's development, realizing the sustainable development of economics and culture.