Nature: Transcendence Versus Immanence
摘要
In this chapter, I will conduct a comparative study between Emerson and Chinese philosophy in their interpretation of metaphysical sense of nature and its relationship with physical nature. For Emerson, the concept of transcendence can best characterize the relationship between metaphysical nature and material nature. For Chinese philosophy, Heaven and Earth are immanent within the world where we live. For Emerson, there are two worlds. One is spiritual world and the other is the product of God, namely material world. Spiritual world is superior to material world for Emerson. In Chinese philosophy, there is only one world and there is no separation of spiritual world from material world. Heaven and Earth in Chinese philosophy is always immanent in material world.