ECOLOGISM AND CONFUCIAN PRO-LIFE-ISM

Abstract

This study analyzes the complementary relationship between ecologism and Confucian pro-life-ism, and searches for the basis needed to establish more methodologically and theoretically advanced environmental and life ethics than those found in present times. The selection of ecologism over ecology can be explained by the fact that, unlike the natural science that is ecology, practical assertions and activities related to the preservation of natural and human ecosystems are being carried out under the auspices of the field of ecologism that is rooted in humanities-based reflections. As such, Confucianism, which constitutes one of the traditions of the humanities in Asia, can be compared with ecologism. Although some have maintained that Confucianism is better paired with ecology, most Korean scholars have identified Confucianism with pro-life-ism. This originated from the fact that Confucianism could not be envisioned as having the characteristics of ecologism. Furthermore, this situation also originated from the fact that the cultural and academic contexts behind the development of ecologism differed from the Confucian ones as pertains to the development of the logic of respecting life forms and developing them in an ideal manner. However, as Confucianism and ecologism share common viewpoints and thinking methods, they are deemed to be comparable to one another.