Philosophical heritage of modern Chinese thinkers: Research on social mentality formation and interactive mechanisms with contemporary environmental behavior

This study employs environmental psychology and social psychology theoretical frameworks to systematically investigate how the philosophical heritage of modern Chinese thinkers influences contemporary environmental behavior patterns through social mentality formation mechanisms. Through in-depth analysis of representative thinkers including Confucius, Laozi, Sun Yat-sen, Mao Zedong, and contemporary philosophical innovators, this research reveals the intrinsic connections and interactive mechanisms between traditional Chinese philosophical thought and modern environmental consciousness. The findings demonstrate that Confucian concepts of "harmony between heaven and humanity" significantly promote environmental ethical behavior and sustainable development practices through moral identity formation and collective environmental responsibility cultivation. Daoist philosophy of "following the way of nature" effectively facilitates spontaneous pro-environmental behavior formation through intrinsic environmental motivation activation and ecological identity construction. The sinification process of Marxist ecological thought, particularly the concepts of "harmonious coexistence between humans and nature" and "ecological civilization construction," provides theoretical support and psychological foundations for collective environmental action and environmental governance modernization. Contemporary thinkers' philosophical innovations based on traditional wisdom, including the localization of ecopsychology, digital-era environmental communication theory, and environmental mindfulness awareness theory, offer culturally adaptive psychological intervention solutions for addressing complex environmental challenges. Comparative analysis reveals that characteristics emphasized in Chinese philosophical traditions, such as collectivism, harmony concepts, and gradual cultivation, complement Western individualistic environmental psychology models, providing diversified pathways for global environmental behavior change. Cross-cultural perspective analysis shows that the environmental philosophical heritage of Chinese thinkers not only influences environmental ideology and behavior patterns in Chinese society but also provides important cultural resources and theoretical support for international environmental cooperation, environmental education, and sustainable development practices, demonstrating significant contemporary value and global significance.