A Comparative Study of Discussions on the Status of Animals between China and the West

动物问题不仅要跨部门的协调与集成，而且要跨文化的合作研究。对中西方传统动物观念的探索可以为当代的动物问题研究提供丰富的理论价值。意大利哲学家阿甘本讨论了人性–动物性的二元区分，以及为消弭二者等级差异所构建的人与动物的关系新模式。传统中国哲学将动物纳入道德性的天人合一宇宙中，这种整体性的变化生成宇宙观为当代思考人与动物关系提供了崭新的认识角度和理论资源。通过对中西方动物问题的差异性研究，借鉴西方动物本体论思想中的积极部分，有助于对当今社会中人与动物的关系问题进行反思，通过批判与重塑，创新和构建符合中国国情的人与动物新和谐。Animal issues require not only cross departmental coordination and integration, but also cross-cultural collaborative research. The exploration of traditional animal concepts in both the East and the West can provide rich theoretical value for contemporary animal research. Italian philosopher Agamben discussed the binary distinction between human nature and animality, as well as the new model of the relationship between humans and animals constructed to eliminate the hierarchical differences between the two. Traditional Chinese philosophy incorporates animals into the moral universe of the unity of heaven and man, and this holistic transformation generates a new perspective and theoretical resource for contemporary thinking on the relationship between humans and animals. By studying the differences in animal issues between the East and the West, and drawing on the positive aspects of Western animal ontology, it is helpful to reflect on the relationship between humans and animals in today’s society. Through criticism and reshaping, innovation and construction of a new harmony between humans and animals that is in line with China’s national conditions can be achieved.