本文主要從人與天地萬物之關係探討永續發展的問題，而以儒家倫理學中所重視的「天地萬物為一體」的觀念，作一申論。永續發展一方面是人與天地萬物的互動表現，而不可免的是涉及跨物種、跨世代的存續；另一方面，行動總是個人在當下的個別事件，個人如何對涉及不同時空的生命和環境應具有何種道德的義務和相應的行動，以達成永續的要求，是一不容易論斷的問題。因此，本文首先對「永續發展」一詞之意義及所涉及的課題作一簡要說明，進而借引所謂「個人世界觀律令」，以申論一個理性和具有統合性的人在行動方面所意涵的預設和所應採取的行為準則。本文並通過論述及批判大地倫理學相關的觀點，展示出儒家在人與天地萬物的一體觀念中，對於我們所應有的行動的一些基本的規範，且提出人類不只是天地萬物的守護者，更進而是一化育者。

This paper discusses the problem of sustainable development from the point of view of the relationship between humankind and all things within the universe, and presents the implications of the Confucian concept of ontological oneness of humankind and all things within the universe. Sustainable development is a result of the interaction of humankind and all things within the universe and could not be separated from the future generations of all things. On the other hand, actions are always acts in the present and by individuals while sustainable development has ethical implications for such acts that bear upon future generations. This paper starts with a clarification of the meanings and implications of the notion of sustainable development. By introducing the socalled personal worldview imperative, it explores the presuppositions and moral duties implied for a rational person with integrity. By a critique of land ethic, it presents the basic moral principles of a Confucian environmental ethics that are embodied in the Confucian conception of taking humankind and all things being ontologically one whole, and that human being is not just a steward but an incubator of all things.