公民美德与动物福利

Civic Virtues and Animal Welfare

动物福利指的是动物的一种健康、快乐状态,在此状态下,至少它们的基本需要能得到满足,而痛苦被减至最小。维护动物福利,一靠伦理、法律、政策规范,二靠公民美德。公民美德是落实动物福利规范的根本保证。与动物福利有关的公民美德包括仁慈、正义、负责、谨慎、节制等。这些美德的养成,离不开个人的长期修炼,同时也需要社会通过公民教育的方式进行塑造和培养。

Animal welfare refers to animals＇ state of health and happiness.Under this state,their basic needs are satisfied,and their pains are greatly reduced to the minimum.Protecting animals＇ welfare depends on not only the standards of ethics,laws or policies,but also on civic virtues.Moreover,civic virtue is a fundamental guaranty on putting the standards into effect.The related virtues include mercifulness,justice,responsibility,carefulness and restraint etc.The cultivation of these virtues needs all citizen＇s own efforts and society＇s civic education.