Exploration of the Relationship between Humans and Nature from the Perspective of Marxist Ecological

Abstract: The human-nature relationship is key to ecological concerns and societal progress. From agricultural to industrial societies, humanity's approach to nature has transitioned from reverence to exploitation, sparking ecological crises. Marx's critique of capitalist surplus value pursuit and his formulation of ecological Marxism from a historical materialist viewpoint offer a theoretical basis for China's socialist ecological civilization. As civilization advances, the focus has shifted towards harmonious coexistence with nature, aided by technological progress in material exchange.

Keywords: Ecological Civilization Construction; Historical Materialism; Harmonious Coexistence

The human-nature relationship is central to ecological issues, impacting society's survival and progress. As society evolved from primitive agriculture to capitalist industry, views on nature shifted from reverence to conquest, causing ecological crises. Marx critiqued capitalist surplus value pursuit and, from a historical materialist view, established ecological Marxism, offering a theoretical basis for China's socialist ecological civilization and environmental governance.

一、The Relationship between Humans and Nature

The evolving relationship between humans and nature, driven by civilization's progress, has led to growing conflicts, prompting reflection on coexistence. Historically, human understanding of this relationship has been limited, with ecocentrism and anthropocentrism emphasizing opposition. However, advancing technology has enhanced our material interaction with nature, shifting perceptions towards harmonious coexistence.

（1） Nature has inherent nature

From a temporal view, nature exists independently of humans. Marx noted that nature, apart from the human body, is an "inorganic body" for humans, indicating our integral connection to it. As products of nature's evolution, our activities are bounded by natural material conditions. Despite this, with economic and technological progress, humans have increasingly sought to control nature, often leading to ecological harm under the guise of technological advancement.

（2） Man and nature are a community of life

The concept of 'community of life' fundamentally transcends the modern mechanical view of nature, truly breaking the binary relationship between humans and nature as subjects and objects, and viewing humans and nature as a unified organic whole. The concept of a community of life is the application and development of Marxist systematic thinking methods, focusing on the integrity and systematicity of things, closely integrating the objective laws of nature, the laws of human social operation, and the laws of human self-development. It reveals that only by reasonably exchanging energy and material with nature can the survival and development of human society be better achieved. At the same time, the "community of human and natural life" is not a static harmony, but a dynamic community based on labor practice, which transforms and utilizes nature in the process of human labor to achieve harmonious coexistence.

（3） Inheritance and Development of Marx's Ecological Humanistic Thought

From agricultural civilization to industrial civilization, people's material production practices have greatly exceeded the internal strength of the natural world. From initially conforming to nature to gradually conquering it, and finally to unlimited exploitation of natural resources, humans have intensified the conflict between nature and humans. General Secretary Xi Jinping, based on the new needs of social development, emphasized that at the current stage, more high-quality ecological products should be manufactured to achieve the pursuit of a better life by the general public, meet the dual needs of material and ecological needs of the people, and ensure that the ecological environment governance work implements the "people-centered" stance from beginning to end.  

2、 Grasp the organic combination of human and nature in practice

Labor practice allows humans to transform and interact with nature, converting it from its natural state to a form shaped by human activity. Throughout history, from early agrarian societies to today's high-tech era, human manipulation of nature has intensified, resulting in ecological crises and environmental degradation. To resolve these issues, we must understand the relationship between humanization and nature, adjust our production and lifestyle, and recognize the organic unity between humans and nature in our labor practices.

（1） The unity of nature and human society in labor practice

Although nature has a priority position, it can only truly have an impact on the survival and development of human society when it becomes humanized nature. The natural world and human society are not independent of each other, but interact and constrain each other as subjects and objects, and are unified in human practical activities.

（2） Human and nature move towards harmony, coexistence, and win-win in practice

Humans have thrived in the current ecological and socio-economic context, and our future depends on this environment. We must address the environmental harm caused by development and foster a sense of responsibility for ecological change and nature conservation. This involves moving beyond "anthropocentrism" to embrace green responsibilities, which challenges self-interest and promotes intergenerational equity. We should actively contribute to ecological civilization. Despite advancements in technology and improved professional and ecological awareness among modern talents, there's a gap between skills, awareness, and environmental action. It's crucial to integrate personal development with socio-economic and ecological progress to bridge the knowledge-action divide.

1、作者简介：

    张龙捷（1998.11.25），男，汉族，籍贯：山东泰安，齐鲁工业大学艺术设计学院，22级在读研究生，硕士学位，专业：美术学，研究方向：摄影