長期以來，人們一直將改造自然界的目的設定為滿足物質需要。古代人認為這種活動屬於動物性行為和世俗性行為，為自由人和基督徒所不齒。現代人則將其道德合理化，並視為人生追求的終極目的。不齒於改造自然界的活動導致了一部分人對另一部分人的支配，過分重視物質需要的滿足又造成了人對自然界的濫用。改造自然界是人的存在方式和有目的性的活動，目的設定是否合理不僅直接決定著改造自然界的效果是否合理，還決定著人的存在是否合理，人的生活是否合理。改造自然界不僅要滿足人的幸福，更要實現人之為人的存在和生態自由，再生產出整個自然界，最終達成德與福的統一。

Mankind has for long been defining the purpose of transforming nature as fulfilling material needs. In ancient times, such kind of activities was considered animal-like and secular, condemned by free men and Christians. However, modern people rationalize the morality of material needs and see them as the ultimate pursuit of life. The disdain about the activities of transforming nature leads to the dominance of one part of people over another part of people, while the over-evaluation of material needs leads human beings’ abuse of nature. Transforming nature is one of human beings’ existential ways and purposeful activities, and the legitimacy of the purpose directly determines not only the effect of transforming nature but also the legitimacy of the existence and life of human beings. Transforming nature is not only to fulfill human beings’ happiness but to, furthermore, fulfill the existential and ecological liberty of men as men, produce the whole world of nature and finally achieve the unity between virtue and happiness.