Ethical boundaries and one-dimensional care： a discussion on the subjectivity issue in Schweitzer’s reverence for life
10.12026/j.issn.1001-8565.2026.10.18
- VernacularTitle:伦理边界与单向度的关怀：论施韦泽敬畏生命中的主体性问题
- Author:
Jialin YAN
1
;
Xue ZHOU
1
;
Mengmeng ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. School of Health Management， Mudanjiang Medical University， Mudanjiang 157011， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
reverence for life;
ethical subject;
ethical object;
asymmetric intersubjectivity;
moral agent
- From:
Chinese Medical Ethics
2026;39(10):1418-1424
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Albert Schweitzer’s ethical thought of “reverence for life” breaks the limitation of traditional ethics that only focuses on human beings. It extends the scope of care to all living beings and provides important ideas for resolving problems concerning the relationship between humans and nature. However， this thought lacks a clear definition of “who is the ethical subject，” which leads to divergent interpretations and applications within academic circles. In fact， the core of this ethical framework lies in “asymmetric intersubjectivity.” That is， humans possess unique capacities for moral reflection， moral action， and moral responsiveness， making them the only complete ethical subjects and bearing the obligation to actively care for non-human lives. Meanwhile， non-human lives carry intrinsic life value and merit respect， yet they cannot bear moral responsibilities and merely serve as ethical objects receiving care. After sorting out this core logic， the concept of “moral agent” was introduced to provide an analytic method with both theoretical rigor and practical operability for real-world issues such as ethical decision-making in medicine and the application of life technologies.
