From Local Knowledge to Global Wisdom: The Ecological Dimension of Nomadic Ethics and Its Value in Civilizational Dialogue

Abstract

In the context of the Anthropocene, where the global ecological crisis is intensifying, the pursuit of a civilizational paradigm shift beyond technological governance has become an imperative of our time. The ethical system of nomadic civilizations, centered on “reverence for life and respect for nature”, has often been regarded as a form of “local knowledge.” This paper argues that its inherent worldview of “animism”, the practical rationality of “taking only in season and respecting protected lands”, and the belief system of “Father Heaven, Mother Earth” collectively constitute a profound ecological philosophy. This philosophy is capable of transcending its local origins to become a “global wisdom” that contributes to the worldwide dialogue on ecological ethics. A philosophical interpretation of the ecological dimension of nomadic ethics not only reveals its timeless significance for ecological civilization but also provides vital Eastern wisdom and a reflective mirror for addressing the predicaments of modernity and fostering a shared future for humans and nature.