Eco-critical Studies On Amish Culture

Eco-critical study on culture is a study of culture and cultural products that is in some way connected with the human relationship to the natural world. Eco-criticism is also a response to needs, problems, or crises, depending on one's perception of urgency.Amish people's insistence on traditional culture coincides with eco-criticism's request. Compared to modern community, their lifestyle and culture pay more attention to social harmony, energy saving and environmental protection. Their living attitude such as diligent, thrifty, simple and tolerant, their social system of mutual aid is envied by a lot of people. The prominent researcher on Amish, John Hostler said:"Amish are not the historical remains of the age that has passed away, but the modern and concrete reflect of a different style." As for academic circles, the existence of Amish in itself is a topic worth exploring. With energy crisis, resource crisis, environmental crisis pressing hard on human world, Amish not only give us theoretical sources, but also give us guidance on social behavior.The thesis is not a complete guide to achieving a sustainable world. But it is convinced that only an environmental ethic ultimately allowing for an indefinite coexistence of a biodiversity ecosystem is a satisfactory solution. Amish perspective offers some important insights toward achieving sustainability. This thesis shares the conviction that Amish are based on a world-view that is significant for the Nature. Amish tradition is a positive contribution to the search for sustainable ecology.