懂牠的心聲：動物溝通中的毛小孩主體展現與關係實作

近年來「動物溝通」興起，宣稱可運用直覺感知，跨越物種和語言障礙，來了解「毛小孩」的主觀感受，獲得許多動物飼主青睞。本研究嘗試理解動物溝通這樣的「技藝」為何興起、相信溝通的人如何在認知中調和靈性直覺與科學理性間的矛盾，以及它如何介入形塑當代人和伴侶動物關係。研究分析資料包括媒體報導、大眾書籍、網路社群討論，以及對動物溝通師和「毛家長」的訪談。研究發現動物溝通可被理解為溝通師介入調整人和動物關係的一項技藝，但它能否促動毛家長和毛小孩關係的改變，主要取決於溝通師所展現出的動物主體，能否受毛家長和動物「互為主體」的相處經驗印證，以及過程中各方如何共同促動、展現、與實作出毛小孩和毛家長的互為主體。本研究凸顯出當代跨物種親密關係的變遷和多樣性，指出唯有分析實作過程中人和動物關係的動態變化，方能跳脫個人特質或迷信等簡化解釋，理解各方主體如何在過程中被展現、認識和反思，及它對深化跨物種關係的影響和限制。

關鍵字

動物溝通；毛小孩；主體性展現；互為主體性；跨物種親密關係

並列摘要

＂Animal psychics,＂ also called ＂animal communicators,＂ have become popular in Taiwan recently. Such psychics claim that they can read animals' minds and reveal their perceptions. This paper explains why cross-species animal communication has become popular in modern society, why some pet owners in Taiwan are believers, and how animal psychics affect contemporary human-pet relationships in the face of the scientific dubiousness of the practice. This study's data include relevant news reports, books, and discussions on the Internet, as well as interviews with animal communicators and pet owners. Instead of examining psychics' and believers' demographic characteristics or reasoning, this study uses a relational analysis to explain this phenomenon and its disputes. I consider animal communication a process through which psychics participate in the (re)construction of cross-species intimacy and relational practices. Psychics attempt to enact empathy and intersubjectivity between owners (furry parents) and their pets (furry kids). The effects of animal communication, nevertheless, depend on whether psychics successfully enact the animal's subjectivity, whether this subjectivity is confirmed by owners in their interactions with animals, and whether owners are willing to reflect upon their relationships. This relational explanation of animal communication illustrates how cross-species intimacy is shaped through specific social practices, and it also demonstrates the ＂ontologies-in-practice＂ in these processes.