The Narrative Dilemma of Contemporary Ecological Ethics and the Narrative of Humanity in Confucian Ecological Ethics

Abstract

Contemporary ecological ethics faces a narrative dilemma of how to narrate the moralities of non-human living entities. Western ecological narratives, which emphasize human- or nature-centered perspectives, tend to reduce the symbiotic relationship between humans and all living entities to a mechanical object relationship of either/or, which is neither in accordance with humanity nor aligned with the purpose of nature. Confucian ecological ethics, rooted in the fundamental spirit of “the unity of Heaven and man,” approaches the narrative from the perspective of the human conscience narrating the universe, using the logic of narrating material virtues through human benevolence. The narrative contents present a natural humanistic discourse characterized by the continuous and interactive interplay of “gained from Heaven and achieved through benevolence.” Methodologically, Confucianism narrates the transcendental “higher-level understanding” with the daily experience of “studying concrete things,” linking the unique value of humans as “the heart of Heaven and Earth” with the conscious responsibility of humans to “ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth,” thereby achieving a narrative effect that aligns with both the purposes humanity and nature. This approach helps to mitigate the internal “center” dispute within ecological ethics, integrate factual descriptions with value judgments, and construct a proactive humanistic practice theory through a positive temporal lens, thereby avoiding a negative, passive moral reductionism.

Keywords

ecological ethics / narrative dilemma / Confucianism / humanistic narrative

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press