| There is no doubt Marx provides multiple perspectives during his research about the essence of human. Both Marx and Confucians in Pre-Qin period explore the essence of human on basis of relationships between human and nature. They believe exploration about the essence of human must be placed conducted in the nature which gives birth of human. The essence of human is characterized by ecological nature, implying the basic value form of human’s ecological essence. The connotation of ecological essence of human is the unity of man and nature. It is considered an ecological summarization about the essence of human and a reflection about relationships between human and nature. Actually, such ecological essence of human stands for the unity of human and nature, namely "unity of human and nature" on basis of "separation of human and nature". The essence of human is formed up and gradually perfected during the interaction between human and nature. It is established by taking the nature as its reference and object. Both hold unique cultural understandings about what’s the ecological essence of human, namely the dimension of ontology. This represents differences between Chinese and western cultures. Confucians in Pre-Qin period link up the ecological essence of human with moral nature, believing ecological human implies moral human and moral human reflects ecological human. This is considered an abstract theory of human nature. However, Marx identifies the complexity, reality and detailed dimension of human nature instead of abstract existence. First, he believes one is "real and single existence". Then he recognizes one is "overall and conceptual collectivity". The ecological nature of human refers to the nature every real person can realizes. It is characterized by universality.Investigation about what’s human’s ecological essence aims to help human realize the ecological essence and promote the transformation from human to nature. Therefore, this paper explores the formation of human’s ecological essence from the practical angle. By contrasting direct formation theory of Confucians in Pre-Qin period and practical formation theory of Marx about the ecological essence of human, this paper recognizes the value of Marx’s theory of practice in the formation of human’s ecological essence and ecological civilization construction. Practice can be taken as an intermediate to realize the unity of human and nature. Labor refers to a process in which human and nature realizes exchange of materials. Then, this paper discusses how they realize human’s ecological essence, namely the liberty of human’s ecological essence and believes liberty of human’s ecological essence relies on liberty of human in the methodological dimension. By contrasting their different opinions towards liberty of human’s ecological essence, this thesis recognizes their positive parts. Confucians in Pre-Qin period elevates kindness from moral level to all materials of the world, showing the "extensiveness of kindness". The expansion of moral objects represents moral progress. Marx’s opinions towards liberty of human’ ecological essence are feasible in actual conditions. He advocates recovery of human’s ecological nature by controlling transformation of natural concepts and eliminating capitalism system. Confusions stresses on liberty in moral level and Marx advocates liberty in conceptual and system levels. Although having differences, their opinions still have implications for us to solve current ecological crisis of the world. The root cause of environmental deterioration is human. Those who ascribe environmental problems to such external factors as science and technologies are actually evading due responsibilities of human, because creation and use of technologies are decided by human. Nevertheless, there are various ways to relieve ecological crisis. Such ways could be detailed scientific and technological environmental protections, but establishment of human’s ecological ideas and reform of social systems are more favorable choices. |
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