"辨于礼义,待以仁礼,群居和一"OA

Xunzi's philosophy contains a rich and dialectical wisdom of animal ethics within his perspective on animals.Taking"discerning propriety and righteousness,treating others with benevolence and propriety,and living together in harmony and unity"as the core guiding principle,we can construct a systematic theoretical framework for Xunzi's perspective on animals.This reconstructed ideological system provides a unique Chinese solution rooted in the Confucian tradition to address contemporary animal ethical dilemmas.First,it clarifies the difference between humans and animals through the order of"propriety and righteousness",establishes the essential nature of being human,and provides a clear defense for human ethical subjectivity.Second,it provides a reasonable way to combine emotions and rationality towards animals,that is,to regulate human emotions towards animals with rational norms based on propriety and righteousness,while not giving up moral care based on benevolence,and to utilize animals reasonably and moderately to serve humanity.Third,it provides a natural way of coexistence between humans and animals,namely the harmonious coexistence of"living together in harmony and unity",and constructs an ideal ecological and ethical order for animals.Xunzi's relatively systematic and original perspective of animal ethics holds profound implications for resolving the value conflicts and practical dilemmas in contemporary animal ethics.