The ancient philosophies of China may have a beneficial influence on the
sustainability movement, especially if the tenets of those philosophies
finally help people in the West understand that building sustainable
communities is not about maintaining things as they are but rather about
living within our long-range means--and I include everyone everywhere,
not just those of us who have the time and wherewithal to do so. Up to
now and with respect to widely getting the word out, philosophies and
theories and the pundits who wield them have failed miserably. And from
what I've read elsewhere about the so-called sustainability work being
carried on in China, failures are plentiful just as they are in the
West. Living with the knowledge that we share one world may be a good
place to start reckoning our limitations, our challenges, and our
opportunities.
But you asked what's driving sustainability behaviors in our community,
Gay. I wonder whether we can point to conscience or courage or, to
paraphrase the article, that we are the children of our parents and the
parents of our children in a network of relationships spanning
centuries. That'd make my day.
Bethany
Gay Nicholson wrote:
Now here's something to think about -- China is exploring the role of
Eastern philosophies in sustainability. Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism
all have deep messages around connection and harmonious balance. Will these
be more powerful than those buried in the Judeo-Christian or secular
humanist philosophies? What do you think is driving sustainability
behaviors in our community?
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0626/p09s01-coop.html
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