Why is Animal Philosophy necessary?: Focused on Andrew Linzey’s Christianity and Animal Philosophy

Abstract

The author concludes that it is necessary to examine and reflect on the prevailing animal view in Korean society, which includes cows, pigs, goats, and even pets, and that a new alternative is needed. In that regard, the author plans to establish the concept, key issues, and philosophical status of animals in an academic manner by pioneering animal philosophy, as there has been no systematic discussion on animal philosophy in Korea so far. This article first addresses the question of “why animal philosophy is necessary in our society?” and aims to clarify the relationship between Christianity and animal philosophy. We will confirm that there has been a growing interest in the study of animals, animal ethics, and animal philosophy within the Korean Christian community. Here, we will examine the perspective of Andrew Linzey (1952-), a professor of theology at the University of Oxford in the UK, who advocates for the understanding of animals, animal rights, and the ethics of compassion from the perspective of Christian philosophy. In particular, we will focus on discussing the relationship between moral sensitivity towards animals and religion, the challenges that animal issues pose to traditional Christian theology, and the misconceptions about animal rights and Christian understanding. Lastly, we will examine the current significance of animal theology and animal philosophy as advocated by Linzey, as well as the influence of the Korean Christian community on these ideas.