동물 윤리에 대한 신유학적 해석 -존재론과 실천론의 상호 작용을 중심으로

Abstract

Since Peter Singer and Tom Regan sparked discussions on animal ethics in the 20th century, various related studies have been conducted. This paper examines the possibility of discussing Confucian animal ethics. Previous studies mainly tried to secure the moral status of animals based on the ontological foundation of "Universal Unity" established by Neo-Confucian scholars. However, the ideal status of "Universal Unity" conflicts with ontological factors that differentiate between humans and other beings and base human dignity at the same time. However, the ideal of "Universal Unity" alone cannot be convincing. First, it conflicts with other elements of ontology that seek to secure human dignity by based on the difference between humans and other beings. Second, the notion of Universal Unity lacks practicality. It is difficult to completely ban eating meat and killing animals based on this ontological foundation within Neo-Confucian theory. Therefore, in order to explore the theory of Confucian animal ethics that recognizes animals as partners in universal life and avoids non-essential killing and meat-eating, this paper aims to figure out the possibilities by examining the expansion of discriminative treatment and inclusiveness of virtual conduct, which is dealt with in Confucian philosophy.