Abstract

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Title:: Transformation from “Separation” to “Harmony” in the Interactionbetween Humans and Animals:A Reflection on theNovel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic

Keywords:: separation; inter-subjectivity; harmony; animal rights; novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic

Abstract:: In terms of animals’ subjectivity, rights and intrinsic value, there are two modes of interaction between humans and animals:i.e. anthropocentrism and non-anthropocentrism. However, these two modes both emphasize the absolute opposition and separation between humans and animals, which leads to the fact that the previous discussions on this issue are nearly all based on atomism and thus blind to the perspective of holism advocated by ecology. Based on the criticism of and reflection on anthropocentrism and non-anthropocentrism as well as the analysis of the controversial focuses of these two positions, we argue that it is necessary to change from our separation from to the harmony with animals, construct the inter-subjectivity between humans and animals, and recognize the intrinsic value and rights of animals. This is the reasonable mode of interaction between humans and animals in the new era. In the concrete construction of the new mode, we should take human beings’ capacity for rational reflection as the basic precondition, the harmony doctrine as the value orientation, the unity of man and nature as the ultimate goal, and the advocacy of the status of “non-human legal subject” for animals as the practical path, so as to promote the harmony between humans and animals, and finally realize the symbiosis, coexistence and common prosperity of both humans and animals.