In 2007, the Chinese government adopted the concept of Ecological Civilization (EC) as a blueprint for sustainable development. This commitment acknowledges significant environmental challenges, including pollution, resource degradation, and biodiversity loss. The government's approach to EC emphasizes authoritarian governance and science-based innovation, a framework known as the Scientific Outlook on Development (SOD). This paper investigates an alternative approach to achieving EC: the Natural History Revival Movement (NHRM). The NHRM, while inspired by Western thought, incorporates uniquely Chinese elements, providing a different sociotechnical imaginary for achieving ecological harmony. The core research questions are: 1) What are the intellectual roots and social contexts of the NHRM in China? 2) How does the NHRM's philosophy relate to its social significance and its viability as an alternative EC sociotechnical imaginary?

The paper reviews existing literature on ecological civilization in China, highlighting the government's emphasis on science-based solutions and the Scientific Outlook on Development (SOD). It also examines critiques of this approach, which argue that it falls short of generating the transformative changes needed for true ecological sustainability. The authors highlight the lack of a clear definition of the NHRM, which necessitates a snowball sampling methodology for data collection. The literature also includes discussions of the sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK), phenomenology, and revisionist historiography, all of which inform the philosophical underpinnings of the NHRM.

The research employed a snowball sampling method to gather relevant materials on the NHRM. Starting with the writings of Professor Liu Huajie, a key figure in the movement, the researchers expanded their sample by following references and related sources. This resulted in a corpus of 25 entries, comprising Liu's writings and commentary on his work, as well as materials describing the social context of the NHRM. A hermeneutic approach guided the analysis, allowing for interpretation and understanding of the NHRM's meaning and impact. The analysis was conducted in two stages: 1) a philosophical analysis of the intellectual strands of the NHRM (SSK, phenomenology, revisionist historiography, systems thinking); 2) an analysis of the social context texts, examining the NHRM as a sociotechnical imaginary and its relationship to the official EC vision. The hermeneutic approach ensured that interpretations remained faithful to the context and were open to multiple perspectives.

The philosophical core of the NHRM, largely shaped by Liu Huajie's work, draws upon several key intellectual strands: 1. **Sociology of Scientific Knowledge (SSK):** The NHRM uses SSK to legitimize natural history as a valuable scientific approach, challenging the dominance of experimental and instrumental approaches in China. It emphasizes the social conditions influencing scientific knowledge production and the value of local knowledge systems. 2. **Phenomenology:** The NHRM employs phenomenology to highlight the embodied and experiential aspects of natural history, contrasting it with the abstract and detached nature of mainstream modern science. It emphasizes direct engagement with nature and emotional connection as crucial for ecological understanding. 3. **Revisionist Historiography of Natural History:** The movement critiques the Whig interpretation of science history, which privileges Western science and undervalues other traditions like Chinese natural history. It argues for a more nuanced and inclusive view of scientific knowledge production. 4. **Systems Thinking and Symbiosis:** The NHRM embraces systems thinking and symbiosis to promote a holistic understanding of the human-nature relationship, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things. It rejects the anthropocentric view that positions humans as separate from and in control of nature. The NHRM is not merely a philosophical stance but also a social movement. It promotes public engagement with nature through activities like birdwatching and environmental monitoring, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world. The movement contributes to the green public sphere in China, offering an alternative sociotechnical imaginary for achieving EC. It challenges the dominance of science-based solutions and authoritarian governance, advocating for bottom-up, citizen-led initiatives and promoting a change in mindset towards nature. The acronym BOWU (Beauty, Observation, Wonder, Understanding) summarizes the educational and ethical goals of NHRM. Despite facing potential criticism as 'neo-romantic' and 'anti-science', the NHRM distinguishes itself by advocating anti-scientism (criticism of the ideology of scientism) rather than anti-science. It suggests that while the NHRM and the government's vision for EC share the same ultimate goal, their proposed methods differ significantly, with the NHRM emphasizing individual action and community-building around nature.

The NHRM's findings directly address the research questions by demonstrating the philosophical depth and social significance of the movement. It shows how the NHRM provides a valuable alternative to the dominant, government-led approach to ecological civilization in China. The emphasis on natural history, experiential learning, and citizen engagement offers a more holistic and potentially more effective pathway towards ecological sustainability. The movement's significance lies in its challenge to scientism, its promotion of a more inclusive view of science, and its fostering of a green public sphere that empowers citizens to participate in environmental stewardship. The integration of Western philosophical traditions with a distinctly Chinese context highlights the potential for cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.

This paper has explored the philosophy and social significance of China's Natural History Revival Movement (NHRM) as an alternative approach to achieving ecological civilization. The NHRM's multi-faceted approach, drawing on both Western philosophical traditions and uniquely Chinese contexts, offers valuable insights into fostering a more harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Future research could focus on the NHRM's long-term impact on environmental policy and citizen engagement in China, as well as comparative studies exploring similar movements in other parts of the world.

The study's reliance on snowball sampling may limit the generalizability of the findings, as it potentially biases the sample towards sources aligning with the NHRM's perspective. Further research could employ broader sampling methods to capture a wider range of views on the movement. The primarily textual analysis could be enhanced by ethnographic research to gain deeper understanding of the NHRM's social dynamics and practical impacts.