Uncovering the Meaning of Ziran: A Study of Chinese Culture

Introduction

‘Ziran’ is a Chinese concept used literary to me mean ‘nature.' ‘Zi' means the nose while ‘ran' represents rights (Williams, 2005). According to Garrard (2004), Chinese culture uses a nose, a common metaphoric word to describe people's point of view. The word ‘ziran’ originated from Daodejing and referred to the nature of Dao that does not mean anything else apart from the Philosophical concepts developed by Laozi. ‘Ziran’ is the central concept of Daoism and the practice of wuwei. According to Williams (2005), the word ‘ziran’ also refers to the development of an “altered nature” based on the lifestyles of human beings.

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Naturalism depends on the relationships among human beings. In most cases, conflicts experienced through human relationships result in true naturalism in the world. The denial of the natural environment due to cultural differences also lead to conflicts among people. ‘Ziran’ represents the existence of social classes that arise from the disparities of the lifestyles among people in their natural environment. Biological naturalism determines the lifestyles developed by people; therefore, resulting in social classes in various communities. This essay will provide comprehensive information describing the meaning of ‘ziran’ based on the analysis of contents form Williams and Harbsmeier.

Meaning of ‘Ziran’ in the Cultural of Nature Chinese

Different philosophers and cultural analysts have provided varying interpretations of ‘ziran.' In most cases, ‘ziran' refers to a model used by Dao and Chinese people. The use of ‘ziran' is based on the ancient translation, as provided in Daodejing. ‘Ziran' explains the attempts taken by different people to determine why some natural things exist the way they are on the planet Earth. The interpretation of ‘ziran’ confirms that the nature of Dao is among the best and complete examples of naturalness. Capitalism contributes to the changes in human lifestyles and the subsequent development of social classes. Naturalism differs from realism, especially during the analysis of human nature.

Wing-Chuek Chan established another translation/meaning of 'ziran' by saying that the concept is based on its virtue (Williams, 2005). In these cases, virtue refers to nature; therefore, reaffirming that ‘ziran’ has a different meaning from nature according to the Chinese traditional culture Williams (2005). Culture gathers for all components that determine the livelihood of people like language and interaction among human beings. ‘Ziran' affects human nature because of the changes in people's lifestyles. Also, the Chinese people use ‘ziran' to specifically refer to the existence of different forms in their original ways. Nature expounds on why various things/creatures possess their current types because. For example, God created plants based on His design to support human life. ‘Ziran’ does not offer any explanation on why certain things seen by human beings were created in their forms.

Nature is one of the compound words in the language (Williams, 2005). In most cases, nature refers to the character and quality of an important thing or person. Also, nature may refer to an inherent force that directs the world and human beings. ‘Ziran’ relates to the nature of human beings based on their culture and interaction with one another. Different factors, like civilization, have shaped human life. According to Harbsmeier (2010), refinement has resulted in capitalism and the existence of social classes. Capitalism changes the nature of people in their environment. Also, ethical standards provide important fundamental principles/concepts in the naturalistic context.

Natural laws guide people in their daily operations and shape personal characters. The identification and analysis of ‘ziran’ depend on the mode and object of observation used in the naturalism context. According to Harbsmeier (2010), the emphasis on natural law provides a philosophical basis for changing society based on the knowledge and characters of the concerned people. The inherent original power of nature also offers an essential approach for actual regeneration. Humanity and goodness determine the quality of interactions among people in their societies. Ziran involves laws and constitution in the world. Nature directs people to relate well with others and avoid social segregation that generally results from discriminations based on race, age, gender, and financial status (Harbsmeier, 2010).

The main factors that determine human nature include political, social, and economic activities/forces because they influence the lifestyles of people in the ecological environment. Family relationships and affections also determine human nature (Harbsmeier, 2010). ‘Ziran’ focuses on the quality of interactions among human beings living in different societies. In most cases, romantic nature does not face severe challenges due to strong affection among human beings. Also, the lack of biological diversity leads to the preservation of romantic life. The differences in ecological conditions also affect human nature because they may interfere with effective interaction and socialization among people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

History of human nature has revealed that the ability to identify changes in society depended on the gender of people (Harbsmeier, 2010). For example, women did not understand human nature. Revolution has resulted in changes in the life of human beings, especially in the Western World were capitalism determines their economic growth and wellbeing. People have abandoned their traditional practices like pastoralism and embraced modern agricultural operations due to a revolution in the world. According to Garrard (2004), the eco-critical theory focuses on establishing an appropriate argument that describes human nature characterized by alienation, love, jealousy, and curiosity.

According to Garrard (2004), the concept of wilderness signifies human nature uncontaminated by civilization. Civilization affects human life because it creates capitalism in various societies; therefore, undermining with the characters and livelihoods of human beings in their environments. As a human nature concept, the Chinese use the word ‘ziran' to ensure adequate protection of individual species and habitats from becoming extinct. According to Garrard (2004), wilderness applies as a critical ecocriticism's challenge in the process of evaluating the cultural and literal studies that determine human nature. Environments play crucial roles in shaping the nature of characters and lifestyles developed by human beings. The concept of wilderness originated from Christian practices. According to Christianity, wilderness refers to an area that cannot be cultivated. The nature of human beings cannot be changed in the natural environment.

Non-capitalism activities contribute to the organization of nature-based on the lifestyles of human beings. Non-capitalism encourages inclusive social growth in China. The Chinese culture concentrates on the nature of livelihood led by all people in societies. Capitalism destroys cohesion unity among people; therefore, creating jealousy and conflicts. The Chinese people resisted the capitalisms due to the desire to preserve their culture that would have been eroded through civilization. Ziran does not mean nature and the physical world, but it describes the relationship between human beings in their environments as influenced by personal character and goodwill. Chinese civilization was not appropriate due to the inability to utilize scientific concepts. Human nature and philosophical approaches characterized the Chinese culture because they wanted to preserve the cultural practices.

‘Ziran’ differs from the word ‘nature' according to Chinese culture/language. Nature determines the existence of people in societies, while Ziran majorly entails the livelihoods of human beings as determined by their interaction (Williams, 2005). In exceptional cases, both ‘ziran’ and nature involve the quality of relationships among human beings. Nature also explains why certain things exist the way God created them. ‘Ziran' expounds on the relationship between human beings and their natural environment. For example, nature reveals that God exists, and He sustains all activities that take place without social control. Also, a character explains why the sun rises typically in the east and sets at the west. According to Garrard (2004), the nature of the civilization introduced in China did not favor the incorporation of scientific concepts.

‘Ziran’ relates to the existence of natural laws in the world because it shapes how people connect in their societies. The social wellbeing of the people also depended on the natural laws that existed since the creation of the Earth. God is the supernatural being that exists and sustains life. ‘Ziran’ describes the relationship between human beings and God. The recurrent tendency of viewing nature from a different perspective results in the cultural practices of the Chinese people. Different people have varying understandings of nature due to the nature of civilization and their level of education.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ‘ziran’ is a Chinese concept used literary to me mean ‘nature.' The actual meaning of ‘ziran' is not nature, according to Chinese culture. Nature and ‘ziran' have a different sense in the Chinese language. The differences in the abilities of people to understand human nature results in confusion between the meanings of the terms in the Chinese culture. The interpretation of the meaning of ‘ziran in the Chinese language also varies based on personal understanding of human nature. Naturalism takes an integral part in determining the culture and lifestyles of people in the world.

References

Garrard, G. (2004). Ecocriticism. Routledge. Retrieved from: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Garrard%2C+G.+%282004%29.+Ecocriticism.+Routledge.&btnG=

Harbsmeier, C. (2010). Towards A Conceptual History of Some Concepts of Nature in Classical Chinese: Zì Rán 自 然 And Zì Rán Zhī Lĭ 自 然 之 理. In Concepts of Nature (pp. 220-254). Brill. Retrieved from: https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004187511/Bej.9789004185265.i-566_009.xml

Williams, R. (2005). Culture and materialism: selected essays (No. 11). Verso. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=WQ_W-rqstsUC&oi=fnd&pg=PP9&dq=Williams,+R.+(1980).+Problems+in+materialism+and+culture:+Selected+essays.+Verso.&ots=I639L8fKy_&sig=YhOasNnFIqI-ObEUnlo0zkWM_lI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Williams%2C%20R.%20(1980).%20Problems%20in%20materialism%20and%20culture%3A%20Selected%20essays.%20Verso.&f=false