ECOPHILOSOPHY VIEWPOINTS IN LAO TZU'S TAO TE CHING

Abstract

Ecophilosophy is a modern interdisciplinary philosophical field, formed in the mid-twentieth century as a critical reaction to the ideology of exploitation and domination of nature that has dominated the process of global industrialization and modernization. With the goal of building a new philosophical foundation for the relationship between humans and the natural world, ecological philosophy proposes a non-anthropocentric worldview, promoting the intrinsic value of nature and aiming for a lifestyle, ethics in accordance with nature and a model of sustainable development. The text of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching does not explicitly address the environment in contemporary technical terms; however, it encompasses numerous philosophical notions that are foundational to ecological contemplation, including: "Tao" - the principle governing the creation and harmony of all entities; "wu wei" - acting in harmony with nature, devoid of coercive interference; "thiet duc" and "tri tuc" - moderation of desires and restrained consumption; "contra" - the cyclical processes of ecological circulation. These thoughts not only represent distinctive philosophical contributions from the ancient East but also proffer invaluable insights for the contemporary endeavor of constructing environmental ethics and promoting sustainable development.