Abstract: Although modernity is a theoretical field in which all schools of thought contend， the views of Marx and Giddens are among the most representative figures. Although Marx did not explicitly raise the concept of modernity， he always represented the fundamental direction of critique of modernity in that the intrinsic factor of modernitys paradox is what Marx continuously criticized—capital logic. It is true that ecological critique couldnt be a main task for Marx in his time， but he unintentionally revealed his own profound ecological thoughts in his critique of capital， instrumental rationality and alienated labor. In the twentieth century， Giddenss thoughts of modernity also developed in the context of capitalism， so they couldnt do without Marx; i.e.， he subtly “inherited” Marx. It is of great benefit to interpret the two thinkers profound thoughts of ecological critique in the context of China， which may carry implications to Chinas ecological civilization construction.

Key words: Karl Marx, Anthony Giddens, modernity, capital logic, ecological dimension