International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2023

Postmodern Ecological Civilization and the Resurgence of Villages

(Abstract)

John B. Cobb, Jr.

This article analyzes and criticizes the “self-destructive gene” of modern industrial civilization in the West, and on this basis, introduces a new, sustainable and healthy postmodern ecological civilization. The author believes that in order for mankind to transit to this new ecological civilization, on the one hand, people need to change philosophical views. This paper reflects on the limitations of Western philosophy such as advocating individualism and anthropocentrism, and emphases the interdependence of the individual and the community, and the close relationship between individual interests and public welfare. On the other hand, postmodern ecological civilization also requires humans to find a way of life that coexists with the rest of the ecology, which can only be achieved through the resurgence of villages. The author believes that China’s rural revitalization and ecological civilization construction are important contributions to the world’s ecological civilization construction, and the hope of postmodern ecological civilization is in China.