Disaster Philosophy

The survival and development of humanity continue to facing disaster challenges. Disasters make damage on human life, living environment and the means of production. Currently, a wide range of disasters, such as earthquake, flood, drought, typhoon, epidemic and other disasters come and go; the reproduce frequency of disasters increased, the disaster chain or disaster group gets the means of the traditional disaster response powerless; destructive of disasters was gradually increasing, even there is global disaster threaten to the safety of all mankind.Despite human civilization was well-developed, still confused in the face of disaster. How to treat disasters and deal with the relationship between humanity and disasters need careful consideration. Though the disaster science developed greatly, discipline system constantly improved and more in-depth understanding of disasters, because of the complexity of disasters, there still remains some questions difficult to answer.Combining the basic theory of disasters with the philosophy in order to make a detailed inquiry about the underlying disaster causes and explore a fundamental understanding of disasters. There are many schools of philosophy, the article use the generally accepted dialectical materialism as the guide, through its nature concept, value concept, systems view, practice concept, methodology to study the nature of disasters and answer the essential relationship between humanity and disasters. Disaster system is a complex nonlinear system, using the nonlinear theory of system philosophy such as chaos theory, catastrophe theory, self-organization theory, dissipative structures to study the disaster system. Disasters awareness come from the disaster practice, the correct disaster concept can guide disaster practice, and deal with the relationship between the humanity and the disaster. Disaster scientific research is still not perfect, continue to deepening the acknowledge of disasters is the needs of disaster research, and the study of disaster research methodology is needed. The article uses scientific methodology as the guide to discuss the application of scientific methods in the disaster, and propose to use various research methods comprehensively.The main contents include disaster concept, disaster system theory, disaster practice, disaster research methodology. Disasters are relative terms, the people are the key factors of disaster, the subject of disaster awareness, the basic elements of disaster establishment. Human mode of production, values, moral standards are closely related to disaster. Extensive application of science and technology promotes social progress, but the inappropriate application of science and technology leads to more disasters. Handle the relationship with the disaster, disaster prevention and disaster reduction are the essence. Humanity should exert initiative, respect for natural rights, protect the interests of nature and change irrational modes of production and value judgments. Production and living should fully consider the common interests of man and nature, considering the common interests of all mankind, to consider intergenerational equity, considering the principle of proportionality.Using philosophy of dialectical materialism to think about disasters comprehensively and profoundly, ultimately comes down to realize the harmonious development between man and nature. However, harmony is not a quantifiable concept, mankind has not fully thorough understanding of the laws of nature, can not accurately predict the consequences of human behavior. But humanity can improve the moral standards, control of material desires, change the destructive mode of production and lifestyle to reduce natural disturbance and avoid conflict with nature. This can be a common vision of all mankind. Disasters are inevitable, but human intelligence is able to reduce or eliminate the damage caused by disasters.