Chrześcijaństwo wobec relacji między człowiekiem a zwierzętami

„Ekologia" św. Franciszka z Asyżu

Abstrakt

CHRISTIANITY TOWARDS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND ANIMALS: THE “ECOLOGY” OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Christianity and philosophy, as foundations of European culture, have for centuries shaped – and continue to shape – the attitudes of Europeans. The issue of relation between man and the natural world have been present both in philosophical concepts and in the books of the Old and New Testaments. Authorities have also played a significant role in the formation of the Christian worldview, among whom Saint Francis of Assisi occupies an important place. The primary sources expressing his spirituality include the medieval works The Little Flowers of Saint Francis and The Canticle of the Creatures which are analyzed taking into account eco-narrative context. Franciscan reflections on the relationship between humans and animals have inspired many contemporary theologians and environmentalists, and St. Francis himself is called the precursor of modern ecology and eco-ethics. The aim of the article is to look at Franciscan spirituality (both medieval and contemporary) from the perspective of contemporary eco-criticism.