Taylor's Research On Environmental Ethics Of "Respecting Nature"

Nowadays,with ecological environment gradually deteriorating,the idea of environmental protection by Taylor presents a noteworthy value of times.Some philosophers criticize Taylor's worldview and ethical norms on biocentrism is ideal but not operable.But Taylor's attitude of respecting nature plays an important role in guiding people to examine the relationship between man and nature and in clarifying humans' responsibility and obligations to nature.This paper first analyzes the social background and theoretical background of Taylor's environmental ethics.The environmental pollution caused by humans' abuse of science and technology endangers the sustainable development of mankind.In addition,Taylor inherits and develops the idea of environmental ethics raised by Reagan and Schweitzer on the harmonious development of human beings and other creatures,and incorporates human and non-human creatures into the ethical category,thus reversing the long-held belief of anthropocentrism.Secondly,Taylor's environmental ethics is systematically elaborated.Taylor's idea of “respect for nature” admits the goodness and intrinsic value of all beings.The "goodness of beings" exists in living things and has its own orientations and purposes.By comparing Carson's idea of ecological holism,Reagan's "subject of life" and Schweitzer's "will to life",the article justifies Taylor's biocentrism and clarifies its significance in guiding people's moral beliefs.Taylor respects the four basic rules ofnatural and the five priority principles for dealing with conflicts,which restrains and guides people's practice while promoting the harmony between man and nature.Last but not least,Taylor's thought of environmental ethics also has its limitations.His thought is a typical individualistic environmental ethics thought.The non-interference norm and compensation justice norm advocated by him are difficult to be realized in practical practice.But this does not deny the important role the ecological ethical thinking plays in environmental protection.China should learn the essence of Taylor's thought of "respect for nature" in combination with the characteristics of China's ecological development,so as to build an ecological civilization with Chinese features.