China’s Ecological Modernization: The Transformation of Rational Forms and Value Orientations: A Socio‑Philosophical Analysis

<jats:p>Since its birth, Western ecological modernization theory has been based on the profound instrumental rational logic understanding the nature as a “resource bank” that can be manipulated by technologies and possible to be priced at the market. Discourse transformation trend from instrumental rationality to priority of values con-nected to environment protection is traced. Chinese-style ecological modernization has shown a fundamental paradigm transformation from instrumental rationality to survival value: it has surpassed Western dualistic thinking and technological tools theory tendencies on the basis of philosophy, and has realized the dialectical synthesis of economic, ecological, and value rationality. Building upon the social philosophy methodological apparatus (dialectics, axiology, social ontology), the author considers the core category of the discourse of “en-vironmental and ontological value orientation”, systematically analizes the inner dialectical logic of the para-digm transformation, and excavates its theoretical value for the criticism of modernity and the construction of a new type of civilization.</jats:p>