Human attitudes toward the animal can be revealed through human responses to conflicts and tension between the human and the animal mostly arising around boundary with accompanying human conceptualization of the animal. Conflicts and tension between the two are most likely to be resolved into intensifying and strengthening the human ego. Human intolerance to unexpected intrusions of animals prevents any genuine interpenetration or interdependence of the two members of eco-community. To activate true interpenetration, humans should be ready to open their gates to animal-neighbors. Human conceptualization of animals can be investigated through human attitudes toward animals and ways of addressing animals at encounter with the animal. Humans place themselves as adult-disciplinarians and animals are posited as children needing discipline and lessons in manners. And human-adults address animal-children with baby talk or in a commanding tone. There are differences depending on gender. The relationship between men and animals repeats that of father and child based on discipline and punishment. Woman treats animals as the mother looks after her child with care and love. Either way, the basic assumptions repeat the structure of “adult centrism” as a basis of any power relationships. Only disciplined and well-mannered animal-children which can keep a deferential distance from humans are taken care of and allowed to live near patronizing human-adults. Prepared with a new concept about boundary as a “porous” one, humans should try to build up genuine relations with animals freed from any human centered assumptions. Alternatives are always possible. A new way should be tried without repeating any pre-arranged ways. A new way is always under construction.
Ⅰ. 경계를 둘러싼 인간과 동물의 관계
Ⅱ. 인간의 동물에 대한 태도
Ⅲ. 길 밖에 있는 길
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