SOCIETY VALUES EVOLUTION IN THE ASPECT OF THE «HUMAN-ANIMAL» RELATIONS

Abstract

The article analyzes the reasons and consequences of changes in the realm of human-animal relations. It determines the influence of urbanization and scientific and technological progress on the change of the place of an animal in an urbanized society, the evolution of the attitude of a modern urban person to an animal: from object of the service and consumption – to the partner, even family member. The growth of the value of a companion animal for a lonely city dweller surrounded by an unnatural stressful environment is analyzed. It points to the different consequences of humanizing the attitude towards animals of domestic and wild species, which, on the one hand, leads to an improvement in the quality of life of domestic animals, but on the other hand, it creates problems for the existence of animals of wild species. Among other causes and consequences, the phenomenon of antromorphization (or humanization) of animals is highlighted and an assessment of the consequences of these cultural changes is given.