A GUEST LECTURE

On

“Ecological Citizenship and Ethical Burial”

By

Dr. William Sweet

Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Philosophy, Theology and Cultural Traditions 

St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada. 

Time & Venue : 12 - 1 pm, 12th January (Thursday), 2017  

Venue : TSB Seminar Hall, IInd floor, Admin Block

Dr. Prof. William Sweet

Dr William Sweet is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Centre for Philosophy, Theology and Cultural Traditions at St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, Canada.  He is a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Ottawa, and an Adjunct Professor in the graduate programmes at Saint Paul University, the Dominican University College (Ottawa), and the University of New Brunswick. He currently serves as President of the World Union of Catholic Philosophical Societies, Vice President of the Council for Research and Values in Philosophy, Treasurer of the Canadian Theological Society, and as a member of the Steering Committee of the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie. He is an elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and the Royal Historical Society. 

About the Lecture : 

The concept of green burial reflects a number of the values underlying "eco-civilization" and ecological citizenship: respect for nature, respect for humanity, and the ecologically-sensitive rational awareness of the "harmony between nature (天= Tien) and humanity (人= Ren), as in the saying "天人合一" Tian Ren He Yi = "Nature and human beings combine into an integral whole"). The practice of green burial can play a valuable role in promoting the construction of an eco-civilization, although many people in China - and elsewhere - may be reluctant to accept it. One reason for this may be that the concept and practice of green burial are so new that it does not yet have a place in the ecological awareness of China's citizens, who are the main subjects of the construction of eco-civilization. It is necessary to increase citizen awareness of green burials and their value, and to encourage people to participate in the practice. This is a reflection of the values that underlie ecological citizenship, but also serves to promote these values.