A Study Of The Ecological Implications Of Marx’s Philosophy

The highlight of ecological problems in contemporary times makes us have to focus on Marxist philosophy again,Marx’s criticism of capitalist industrial civilization more than a hundred years ago provides us with methodological principles and theoretical basis to solve ecological problems today.The urgency and reality of the ecological problem show that it is not only a theoretical problem but also a practical problem.More importantly,it is a problem in the social and historical field.The contemporary western ecological philosophy focuses on the reality of the deterioration of the ecological environment and actively seeks solutions.They put forward a variety of theoretical ideas from different aspects,such as the change of values,political system reform,and technological means innovation,which provides useful inspiration for human beings to get rid of the living predicament and achieve sustainable development,and has certain positive significance.However,its limitations are also obvious,mainly as follows:First,how can ethical expansion be possible.Ecological ethics advocates the establishment of an ethical and moral relationship between man and nature,but how can man and nature have an ethical and moral relationship?They think that first,animals have the characteristics of life and feeling,so they have the status of moral subject as human beings.Second,they believe that nature has intrinsic value,and this value is irrelevant and objective,so it has the status of moral subject as human beings.They appealed to the improvement of the morality of the property owners,without seeing the existence of "higher immorality".Marx’s philosophy believes that interpersonal ethics cannot be extended to man and nature.As the most advanced existence in the nature,man should adjust the relationship between man and nature through his own behavior.The improvement of interpersonal relationship is the first step to improve the relationship between man and nature.Therefore,we should resort to the construction of human morality,rather than the establishment of the moral relationship between man and nature.The improvement of interpersonal relationship will be a long-term historical process,which is accompanied by the progress of human society.Second,How is the democratization reform possible.Ecological Marxists have seen the inherent defects of the capitalist system and require a fundamental reform of the capitalist system.However,the ecological socialism they put forward is essentially the improvement of the capitalist system and is to maintain the rule of capitalism.They transformed Marx’s historical materialism with ecology,replaced economic crisis with ecological crisis,replaced political criticism with criticism of production field,and replaced radical social revolution with democratic reform.Marxist philosophy believes that it is impossible to truly overthrow capitalist private ownership without changing capitalist relations of production,and it is just a self deception to hope to realize the change of social system through a gradual and democratic way of improvement.Third,how is the ecological direction of capitalism possible.Western ecological capitalism advocates realizing the ecological development of capitalism through technological revolution.The innovation of technical means can indeed solve specific environmental problems to a certain extent,but it cannot fundamentally curb the problem of environmental pollution.This is because:ecology and capitalism are inherently contradictory,and the nature of capitalism determines that it cannot be ecological.Science and technology belong to the superstructure,and the criticism of science and technology cannot replace the criticism of production relations.At the same time,the criticism of science and technology cannot replace the criticism of social and historical fields.Ecological crisis is essentially a problem in the field of social history.The rationality of science and technology cannot be the same in the field of social history.Because the theoretical characteristics and philosophical concepts of contemporary western ecological philosophy are still based on modern metaphysics,they do not really touch the essence and core of contemporary ecological problems.Marx’s philosophy emphasized that the deep integration of man and nature is the most ideal state for human survival and development,criticized the utilitarian attitude of capitalism towards nature and the dichotomy mode of thinking,and reached an important theoretical judgment that it is impossible to solve ecological problems without solving the way people understand nature,so it can grasp the essence and core of the problem.By going deep into the capitalist mode of production,Marx found that the root of alienation between man and nature lies in the alienation of labor.Marx believed that the basic principle of modern production was the abstraction and deconstruction of the labor process,which led to the fate of human and nature being deconstructed and divided.Because Marx established the non speculative unity of man and nature on the basis of philosophical ontology,and guided the critical analysis of the essence of the modern worldecological problems originate from this essence-this philosophy can provide theoretical support for contemporary "ecological" practice.The western political elites only care about the interests of the bourgeoisie,so their ecological theory serves the bourgeoisie,and its purpose is to self renew and improve the capitalist system.Marx’s philosophy has always taken the liberation of all mankind as its fundamental mission.Marx’s ecological political criticism and ecological ideal are in line with the current ecological practice.It is more profound than contemporary ecologism,which is based on humanism.Therefore,Marxist philosophy can guide the newly formed ecological pursuit of mankind.At present,China is in the critical moment of socialist modernization,which urgently needs theoretical innovation.The thought of man and nature in Marxist philosophy contains the ecological theory with the characteristics of Marxist philosophy.The in-depth dialogue between the core ideas of Marxist philosophy and practical problems,on the one hand,promoted the development and innovation of Marxist philosophy with problems,on the other hand,gave play to the guidance of Marxist philosophy on ecological issues.Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization is the innovation and development of Marxist ecological theory.It not only guides the practice of ecological civilization in China,but also leads the new form of human civilization,making contributions to world peace and human happiness.