Analysis Of Ecological-Thinking From Thoreau's Dual Perspective Of Emotional View On Science

Thoreau's ecological thinking developed from his gradual understanding of nature and science. We can study Thoreau's ecological thinking from two perspectives—advocating science and refusing science.Thoreau advocated science, under the guidance of the scientific method, he engaged in the study of natural science, and became a talented wildlife ecologist. Through the observation and research natural objects in the wild, his love of nature grew day by day, and his ability of cherishing nature and natural objects was increasing. This kind of feeling helped his romantic ecological ideas to sprout, develop and mature. Through the research of ecological system of Concord, he extended this thought to the whole nature; he thought that the human and nature was an organic ecological system, which was a"community of love". Therefore our humankinds should make our due contribution to the"community of love" in order to get sustainable development ability.Thoreau refused the objectivity and one-sidedness of science. Thoreau refused to admit that the objectivity of science is the unique guidance to recognize truth and nature. Thoreau did not admit the intention of objectivity of science, he researched object of science. He thought that the combination of subjective world of inner world and objective world of outer world is the best way in recognizing the overall nature.Thoreau refused to admit the existence that is ugly in nature; he transformed his scientific view from advocated to rejective. He thought that it is meaningless for science to study not good things existing in nature. Thoreau refused scientific objectivity to treat plant and animal as object mechanically. Thoreau refused to do harm to animals for scientific experiments. Thoreau's refusing of the one-sidedness of science is that he strives to maintain the integrity of nature and rejects science to divide nature. He was concerned that scientists are too specialized and too proud of their achievements, they may neglect that nature was the source of spirit and thought.After the analysis of Thoreau's ecological thinking, we can find some starting point to re-examine and improve our nature view. We can find some inspiration and then think about today's view of science from his refusing of the objectivity and one-sidedness of science; we can gain some idea influencing our spiritual life and real life.