On the Order of Time in the Dao(Way) of Heaven in Confucian Natural Philosophy and Its Ecological Significance——Focusing on the Yi zhuan

In Confucian natural philosophy,the Dao(Way) of heaven is a general process,quality,and law of the motions of the myriad things.For the organism of the motion of the Dao of heaven,in natural philosophy of Change,it is the Spirit-like being which miraculously manipulates the myriad things.The Spirit-like being is the subtleness and mystery of the rotations and interaction of yin and yang,its organism being invisible yet its functions being visible.In addition,in the Yi-ology,the Spirit-like being is the dynamic of changes.The Dao(Way) of Heaven manifested as the rhythm and order,and the actions man should take by the rhythm and order is time.Obviously,the Time in Confucian natural philosophy differs from modern Newton's concept of time.In Confucianism,the Dao of Heaven is organic and immanent,and man and nature can influence each other.The natural law in Confucianism is ecological,being stability but not inevitability beyond man's control.This law may be destroyed by man's inappropriate actions.This cognition in Confucian natural philosophy in the history brought forth an attitude of reverence to nature,which is significant and inspiring for contemporary human society.