Ecological Consciousness In Traditional Chinese Aesthetics

 Meijun Fan

Presented at the Center for Process Studies Silver Anniversary International Whitehead Conference, Claremont CA, August 4-9,1998)

Ecological Consciousness in Traditional Chinese Culture is a very important thought resource in the process of constructing “a new postmodern worldview”.[i]

I. Where is Ancient Chinese People’s Ecological Consciousness Reflected?

1. Loving and Revering Nature

The study of the history of Chinese aesthetics indicates that ancient Chinese aesthetes and artists consistently held nature in awe and veneration. There was a precondition here: they looked up to nature as something above all living things, including human beings. That is why many people talked about nature in a tone of awe. Such an awe-inspired attitude toward nature is reflected in aesthetics in the way that nature is the basic and lofty principle of aesthetics. The artistic value of an object is not determined by man but by nature which transcends man. Nature does not only endows all living things with vigor but also makes man energetic, artists creative, therefore their artistic works can last forever.

2. Appreciating Nature

The ancient Chinese people displayed their ecological consciousness not only in their respect for nature but also in their appreciation of nature. This implies that though nature is something they worshipped, it is not something awesome or transcendent above them. Nature is a loveable object for appreciation. For this reason, ancient Chinese aesthetes and artists persistently held an appreciative attitude toward nature. It is so overwhelming that in their eye all things around them are beautiful. It must be pointed out that the ancient Chinese aesthetes and artists did not only consider nature as an object for appreciation but also felt that to be close to nature and to enjoy nature was man's need and an indispensable part of man's spiritual life. They would prefer a life of vegetarian to a life separated from nature.

3. Advocating Equality Among All Living Things on Earth

The ancient Chinese always cherished generosity and charity in nature. In their mind's eye, the existence of all living things was just as reasonable as that of human beings. Since their being was reasonable, they certainly deserved our esteem. All living things were not only  the  same  and equal with us in terms of quality but also hey were closely related with us. They were our intimate friends. Because ancient Chinese considered all living things were equal with human beings, they were very prudent when contacting them. This did not only show their respect for themselves but also

indicated their respect for nature. Yuan Hongdao once said "You should choose the right time and place to appreciate certain flowers. It is absurd to demand them when they are not in season." In brief, every living thing has its

own characteristics which makes it different from others. If we presume that only our life style is the ideal one and attempt to force all others to adopt ours, we are likely to strangle the characteristics of all living things. As a result, the world will lose its diversity and richness.

4. Not Intending to Possess Loved Things

Connected closely with equality consciousness mentioned above is another sentiment cherished by Chinese aesthetes and artists--never attempt to possess loveable objects. This is the character of nature first discovered by Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu said "Man follows the laws of earth; earth follows the laws of heaven; heaven follows the laws of Tao; Tao follows the laws of its intrinsic nature." [ii]He also said nature had brought forth all living things on earth but it never intended to possess them, never considered itself as their dominator. This was the highest virtue. Chuang Tzu had a further discovery about it. He found such virtue was real beauty, a lofty realm of aesthetic judgment.

Modern people are so used to possessing loveable things that they feel quite unfamiliar with such a noble idea. If modern people feel something is beautiful they try to get it, otherwise they will never be satisfied. It seems that if they don't have it, they will never be able to appreciate it. This is a narrow-minded affection for beauty. Can we appreciate the beautiful without taking it? What Zhi Daolin and Zheng Banqiao (The former lived during Jin dynasty while the latter during Qin Dynasty) did might be instructive to us.

Zhi Daolin loved cranes. Once he found two abandoned cranes in a hill. After a short while they tried to fly away. Zhi Daolin cherished them so much that he scissored off their wings in order to keep them. Being unable to fly any more the cranes looked very annoyed when looking back at their wings. Lin said since you want to soar to the skies, you would not like to be my companion. Then he let them free as soon as they were able to fly. Zheng Banqiao once said "I hate caging a bird because it is a prisoner only for my happiness. It has to submit its character to my spiritual need...I don't mean that I don't like birds, but I mean that I would keep birds properly. If I want to keep pet birds, I will first plant trees around my house which will provide ideal homes for birds. Then I will be able to hear birds singing after I waked up, to see birds flapping their wings flying back and forth while I am brushing my teeth. Neither a single feather nor a cage of birds can make me so happy. It would be my great joy to see pet animals be raised either in the sky or on earth and pet fish be kept either in rivers or lakes. In this way each has got its right living condition. How can we keep birds in a cage, fish in a bowl? [iii]“What a lofty feeling Zhen Banqiao had toward nature. Only a man with such a sentiment can he really gain happiness and appreciate beauty around him. Today the wonderful idea --never attempt to possess what you love (proposed by ancient Chinese) does not only contribute to the development of aesthetics, but also increases people's ecological consciousness, hence it is worth while exploring and pondering.

II. Comparison with Western Ecological Consciousness

1. Resemblance

It must be pointed out that there are many resemblances between the ecological consciousness in Chinese classical aesthetics and that in the present ecological movement in the west. First of all, both emphasize man's esteem for nature, the intimacy between man and nature. Moreover both stress that nature is an organic whole and man is only a part of it. Secondly both advocate equality among all species and both are determined to fight for living space for thousands of species persecuted by human beings. Finally, connected with equality consciousness, both cherished deep love for life; both call for a diverse and colorful world.

This implies that westerners became ecological conscious after paying for a big cost (soil erosion, air smog and water pollution). Different from the westerners, the ancient Chinese gained their ecological consciousness much earlier, and mainly through their feelings. As Professor Steven Owen said while the east was absorbing, mastering applying and developing western science, technology and art, "a new concept is being developed in the west. It is quite similar with the concept in Asian civilization which was developed through instinct and thinking thousands of years ago."[iv]

2. Difference

Does what has been discussed indicate that the ecological consciousness in ancient Chinese aesthetics is completely the same with ecological consciousness in the west? Probably not. First, these views are formed and developed in different social backgrounds: the former is an outcome of an agricultural society, while the latter is an outcome of an industrial society. Secondly, they are based on different theories: the former based itself on instinct while the latter on science. It is science that is responsible for the ecological crisis, and it is also science that provides proof for ecological crisis and warns people of it. Thirdly, the contents of their theories are not the same. The ancient Chinese ecological consciousness is related with appreciation of the beautiful, therefore it is concerned with human's spiritual life. It stresses the point that nature offers a spiritual reward to man by purifying and upgrading man's soul, for his esteem for and appreciation of nature. In contrast with this, the western ecological consciousness is mainly concerned about man's existence. It emphasizes that nature will punish human beings if they keep plundering it. It shows a special concern about how human beings will be able to survive natural disasters.

This is a very important distinction, which can be considered as a major feature of ecological consciousness of ancient Chinese people. It is just this feature that provides important clues for us to discover its theoretical and practical significance for today. To speak specifically, different from the message conveyed by modern ecologists (If you don't respect nature, it will punish you) the message passed by ancient Chinese aesthetics is rather positive one: if you respect and love nature she will reward you a thousand times. She won't make you feel pressured, on the contrary, she "liberates" and "comforts" your spirit.[v]

According to Mr. Xu, Chinese painters such as Dong Qichang, Mi Youren, Huang Dachi lived long lives, probably they benefited from beautiful landscapes in their paintings. This contrasts sharply with those mentally disordered artists in the west. It must be declared that by discussing ancient Chinese people's ecological consciousness, we neither intend to be against modernization nor advocate premodern society. What we hope is that we should have consciousness of ecology in the course of modernization so as to avoid the destructive effect brought about by modernization. Only in this way can we not only realize modernization but also keep nature colorful and beautiful.

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