From: Center for Whitehead Studies, Zhuhai, China
We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr. on December 26, 2024. On behalf of all members of the Center for Whitehead Studies, as well as process philosophy scholars and researchers of Cobb’s thought in China, we extend our heartfelt condolences on his passing and offer our sincerest sympathies to his family.
In the hearts of Chinese scholars of process philosophy, the esteemed Academician Cobb was a world-renowned process philosopher, a third-generation successor of process philosophy, a leading figure of constructive postmodernism, one of the earliest proponents of Western Green GDP, a constructive postmodern ecological philosopher, a pioneer of constructive postmodern ecological civilization theory, and a distinguished process theologian. He was revered as an "ecological sage," a philosopher, and a thinker dedicated to the life of the Earth and the shared destiny of humanity.
Academician Cobb’s works, including Is It Too Late?, For the Common Good, and Liberation of Life, have had a profound impact on advancing the cause of global ecological civilization. His discussions on the philosophy of constructive postmodern organic education have significantly contributed to educational reform in China, particularly by promoting the study and practice of organic process education theories. His support for China’s efforts in building an ecological civilization and his praise for China’s achievements in this domain at international forums and in the media—hailing China as a global leader in ecological civilization—provided substantial encouragement for China's modernization and ecological initiatives.
The passing of Academician Cobb marks the loss of a world-class leader in process philosophy, a guiding figure in constructive postmodernism, and a passionate advocate for the theory and practice of ecological civilization. To us, he was not only a respected scholar but also a kind elder and a "sage-like" intellectual.
All researchers at our center, as well as scholars of process philosophy, constructive postmodernism, and organic process education in China, will continue to uphold and develop the ideas he so passionately advocated throughout his life. We will persist in advancing research on process philosophy, ecological civilization, organic education and so on, both in China and globally, ensuring that the light of process philosophy continues to illuminate our path forward.
We pray for Academician Cobb’s eternal peace in heaven and hope that his thoughts and spirit will inspire future generations!
With heartful sympathy,
Haipeng Guo,
Director of the Center for Whitehead Studies
From: The Center for Process Studies (CPS), USA
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of John B. Cobb, Jr., a visionary thinker, tireless advocate for ecological civilization, and a guiding light in process thought. As the founder of the Center for Process Studies, John’s wisdom, courage, and unwavering hope inspired generations of scholars, activists, and spiritual seekers across the globe.
John remained remarkably active up until his final days, continuing to engage deeply with the issues that mattered most to him. However, after a fall a few days ago, his health declined rapidly. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on the night after Christmas—just six weeks shy of his 100th birthday.
John’s life was a testament to the transformative power of ideas. From his pioneering contributions to process theology to his steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and interfaith dialogue, John lived out the interconnectedness he so profoundly articulated. His vision for a more compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable world has left an indelible mark on academia and countless communities working toward systemic change.
At the Center for Process Studies, together with the Cobb Institute, China Project, Process & Faith, and many allied Cobb-inspired organizations, we are deeply grateful for John’s unparalleled leadership and mentorship. His influence shaped not only our mission but also the lives of everyone fortunate enough to work with him. We are committed to carrying forward his legacy of wisdom, care, and transformation as we continue the work he so passionately began.
As we grieve this tremendous loss, we also celebrate an extraordinary life—a life devoted to fostering harmony, justice, and hope. John taught us that the world is an interconnected process, rich with possibilities for renewal, growth, and flourishing. His example will continue to guide and inspire us for generations to come. In recent conversations with friends John described death as a “natural part of life,” and “the next big adventure.” He added, “I do not expect my death to be a dramatic change in life, but one more gift of life."
The Center for Process Studies
Thinking and practicing “Heaven, Earth, and Humanity”: Farewell to philosopher John B. Cobb
From: The International Confucian Association
The historical novel “Heaven, Earth, and Man” by Masashi Hozaka, published in 2006, was adapted into a TV series of the same name in 2009 and broadcast by NHK. Although Naoe Kanetsugu was a defeated general who followed the Toyotomi family against Ieyasu, the author has a tendency to highlight the losers, and uses the profound humanity of “reverence for heaven and love for people” to describe his life.
The words “Heaven, Earth, and Humanity” and “reverence for Heaven and love for people” can both be found in the Confucian classic Mencius. Although the common meaning of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity is recognized and used in the Chinese character culture circle that covers China, Japan, and other Asian regions, if it is translated into English from outside the Chinese character culture circle, for example from an American perspective, the expressive connotation and deeper meaning of each Chinese character will inevitably be relatively constrained. The translation will become wordy.
However, the concept of heaven, earth and humanity has been appropriately incorporated into the American process philosophy, and this concept is used as a basis for reference in the postmodern new civilization of “ecological civilization”. John B. Cobb, Jr., a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and founding president of the Institute for Postmodern Development of China, is one of the main advocates. Although he is now 100 years old, he has been exploring a harmonious ecological civilization model from the interplay between the earth's ecosystem and civilization system since 1969. His 1971 monograph Is It Too Late? is a valuable record of the ecological civilization as the foundation of the earth's new civilization. He later proposed a new method of “green GDP” with unique philosophical thinking in response to the criteria for measuring GDP.
Photo by Zhihe Wang: Dr. Cobb in his Clermont residence, California, USA (Nov. 2, 2024)
More than 50 years have passed since the Green GDP standard was proposed, and many species have already become extinct. Global warming is intensifying. The over-rapid industrialization of agriculture is gradually pushing society in the opposite direction of an ecological civilization. According to Cobb, the United States has destroyed rural civilization, and modern agricultural societies of the past have lost the opportunity to directly participate in ecological civilization. However, China still has room for not fully realizing modernization, and can choose to leap over the pitfalls of Western industrial civilization and directly connect to the orbit of ecological civilization, a new civilization. This is undoubtedly the historical opportunity for China to practice the ancient concept of heaven, earth and humanity.
Process philosophy and Mr. Cobb's hope for China to catch the vision of ecological civilization are based on the fact that the origin of ecological civilization is embedded in Chinese traditional culture for thousands of years. As early as the primitive stage, the Chinese tried to capture things through the perspective of the organic connection between all things. This instinctive understanding has input a simple ecological element into the teachings of Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. The Chinese characters that have been nurtured on this land also serve the same function, that is, in their respective organic associations, they are the main body of each other, respectively exuding the mechanism of forming words. It coincides with the world view and epistemological basis of organic correlation condensed in “Heaven, Earth and Humanity” and “Heaven and Humanity as One”. It is really a coincidence that this kind of thinking meets and blends with process philosophy, and in turn produces a healthy chemical reaction in the process of constructing an ecological civilization that is considered postmodern.
There is reason to believe that the cooperation between China's excellent traditional thought culture and Western process philosophy thinking is expected to provide a new knowledge base for addressing the major challenges facing humanity. It was with this hope in mind that Mr. Cobb planned and hosted the “ Claremont International Forum on Ecological Civilization” for 17 sessions with participants from all over the world.
For me, a researcher of the Japanese philosopher and writer Miyazawa Kenji, there are similarities between Mr. Cobb's postmodern exploration and Miyazawa Kenji's practice 100 years ago. There is also a high degree of overlap with the practice of Adachi Hara, an agricultural philosopher and agronomist (Agricultural Primitive Theory, Agricultural Work Research, Rural Regional Research), leader of the Grass-Cutting Crusade, and former professor at the Toyama University Junior College (born in 1930), who is deeply rooted in soil-based thinking.
More than 40 years ago, Mr. Adachi, taking his cue from the activities of Miyazawa Kenji, launched the “Mowing Crusade” and the “University of People and Land” in an abandoned village in Toyama, leading volunteers from all over Japan to explore the journey of pioneering a new civilization, starting with the “death of a society” caused by so-called industrial civilization.
Our predecessors have done their best to find the possibility of symbiosis with nature in the process of evolutionary development. No matter which way they look, their efforts are like a relay race that transcends the times, never letting up. However, on December 26, 2024, just before bidding farewell to the year, the obituary of Mr. Cobb was announced.
He stood tall at the front of the train heading towards ecological civilization, waving goodbye to the flag of heaven, earth and humanity...
May people live long, and may the organic interaction of heaven, earth and humanity be endless.
Wang Min*,
Vice President of the International Confucian Association
*Note: Wang Min is a scholar in Japan. She was born in Chengde City, Hebei Province, China in 1954. She has worked and lived in Japan for 37 years. She is the first Chinese to receive a doctorate in Japanese humanities. She is currently an honorary professor at Hosei University, a distinguished professor at Sakura Merrill Lynch University, a visiting professor at Takushoku University, the director of the Zhou Enlai Peace Research Institute, an advisor to Japan's Asian Community Cultural Cooperation Agency, and the vice chairman of the International Confucian Federation. She has published more than 180 monographs and co-authored works, and was commended by the Minister of Culture. She was awarded the title of Private Ambassador of Sino-Japanese Friendly Exchanges by the All-China Federation of Japan. She was invited to the palace many times to communicate with the emperor and his wife.