Abstract: There exist rich ideas of ecological civilization in Dialectic of Enlightenment. It holds that modern ecological crisis results from rational metaphysics, not capitalism value-added logic. The historical evolution from enlightenment rationality to instrumental rationality is the witness of the ecological civilization's internal development logic. In contrast to Marx's critique of capitalist modernity, critical theory of instrumental rationality isn't based on the actual material production practice. Therefore it doesn't show us an effective approach to natural liberation and human freedom. Nevertheless, many correct and penetrating views about eco-development in Dialectic of Enlightenment have important inspirations for the construction of ecological civilization in China.