Search

Analysis of Ecological Ethics in Monthly Ordinances of the Book of Rites

Author(s)

Wei Shiya

Affiliation(s)

School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China

Abstract

The "Book of Rites" is a compilation of Confucian ritual texts from the Pre-Qin to Wes n44tern Han periods, documenting the institutional and ceremonial systems before the Qin and Han dynasties, primarily centered around the Zhou Dynasty. It is an essential document for studying ancient Chinese ritual culture. The "Monthly Ordinances" follows a fixed format, structured around the four seasons and months. Under each month, it first describes the celestial phenomena and seasonal changes, then records the political orders that the Son of Heaven should issue under these conditions, and points out that failing to comply with the "time" will inevitably lead to disaster. The "Monthly Ordinances" is a scientific summary and philosophical generalization of various natural sciences, agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishing practices since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, as well as state management experiences. It contains rich ecological ethical ideas, allowing us to explore early Chinese norms on environmental protection and trace their practical significance.

Keywords

Monthly Order; Ecological Ethics; Environmental Protection

References

[1] Jia Taihong. Rites rites [M]. Xiyuan Press, 2016. [2] Guo Wentao. A preliminary study of ecological agriculture in the Monthly Order [J]. Ancient and modern agriculture, 2000 (1): 8. [3] Chen Lai. The sacrificial religion of the Yin and Shang dynasties and the Mandate of Heaven belief of the Western Zhou Dynasty [J]. Zhongyuan Wenhua Yanjiu (Central Plains Culture Research), 2014 (2): 7. [4] Yang Yali. The Book of Rites, on [M]. People's Publishing House, 2014. [5] Xu Changbo. Analysis of ecological philosophy in The Book of Rites [J]. Zhongzhou Academic Journal, 2014 (9): 4.