Unity of Heaven and Humanity: Ecological Philosophy in the Pre-Qin Period

Abstract

The concept of Unity of Heaven and Humanity (Tian Ren He Yi) constitutes one of the foundational worldviews of Chinese civilization. Emerging from a long agrarian tradition, it reflects an enduring vision of the interconnectedness between human beings and the natural world. This paper examines the Pre-Qin understanding of Tian Ren He Yi as an early ecological worldview that is neither merely mythological nor purely philosophical, but a moral-cosmological framework integrating reverence for nature, sensitivity to seasonal rhythms, and ethical restraint. It argues that this concept functioned simultaneously as a metaphysical principle and a normative guide for human-nature relations, while offering valuable insights for contemporary debates on sustainability and environmental ethics. Drawing on close textual analysis of major classical works—including the Zhouyi ( Book of Changes ), Liji ( Book of Rites ), and Zhuangzi —the study explores three interrelated dimensions: (1) conceptions of natural order and seasonal cycles; (2) ritual practices of gratitude, worship, and sacrifice to Heaven; and (3) approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Building on the interpretive frameworks of Roger T. Ames, John Grim, and Mary Evelyn Tucker, the paper interprets Pre-Qin cosmology not as myth or religion in the conventional sense, but as a relational ethical system in which metaphysics, ritual practice, and ecological responsibility are inseparably intertwined. The paper contends that Pre-Qin ecological thought presents a relational and non-anthropocentric alternative to environmental philosophy. Rather than positioning humans as masters of nature, it emphasizes harmony, reciprocity, and moral responsibility within the broader cosmic order. By highlighting the ethical and political implications of Unity of Heaven and Humanity, this study contributes to contemporary environmental philosophy by introducing a distinctive Eastern perspective for rethinking sustainability, ecological governance, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.