The Greening of China: The Constructive Postmodern Movement in Contemporary China

Author: McDaniel, Jay

Source: Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, Volume 12, Numbers 2-3, 2008 , pp. 270-290(21)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

When China's economy began to grow in the 1980's, many people throughout the world, including many people in China, hoped that China might offer the world a unique model of development. Many Chinese carry this hope even today, and some among them are turning to Whiteheadian or process thought for guidance. Of course Whitehead is a Western philosopher, but they see in his ideas deep similarities with Chinese ways of thinking, enabling Chinese to articulate traditional points of view in a modern setting. With help from Whitehead they are developing what they call a "Constructively Postmodern" approach to China's future. This essay introduces this movement, its core ideas, and some of its key figures, linking them with the theme of religion and sustainability.

Keywords: CHINESE PROCESS PHILOSOPHY; CONSTRUCTIVE POSTMODERNISM; ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD; CONSUMERISM; WANG ZHIHE; SUSTAINABILITY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853508X360028

Affiliations: 1: Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas

Publication date: 2008-11-01