Stephen T. Newmyer - Böcker

This volume offers a new translation of Plutarch’s three treatises on animals—On the Cleverness of Animals, Whether Beasts Are Rational, and On Eating Meat—accompanied by introductions and explanatory commentaries. The accompanying commentaries are designed not only to elucidate the meaning of the Greek text, but to call attention to Plutarch’s striking anticipations of arguments central to current philosophical and ethological discourse in defense of the position that non-human animals have intellectual and emotional dimensions that make them worthy of inclusion in the moral universe of human beings. Plutarch’s Three Treatises on Animals will be of interest to students of ancient philosophy and natural science, and to all readers who wish to explore the history of thought on human–non-human animal relations, in which the animal treatises of Plutarch hold a pivotal position.

This groundbreaking volume explores Plutarch's unique survival in the argument that animals are rational and sentient, and that we, as humans, must take notice of their interests.Exploring Plutarch's three animal-related treatises, as well as passages from his ethical treatises, Stephen Newmyer examines arguments that, strikingly, foreshadow those found in the works of such prominent animal rights philosophers as Peter Singer and Tom Regan.Unique in viewing Plutarch’s opinions not only in the context of ancient philosophical and ethical through, but also in its place in the history of animal rights speculation, Animals Rights and Reasons points out how remarkably Plutarch differs from such anti-animal thinkers as the Stoics.Classicists, philosophers, animal-welfare students and interested readers will all find this book an invaluable and informative addition to their reading.

This groundbreaking volume explores Plutarch's unique survival in the argument that animals are rational and sentient, and that we, as humans, must take notice of their interests.Exploring Plutarch's three animal-related treatises, as well as passages from his ethical treatises, Stephen Newmyer examines arguments that, strikingly, foreshadow those found in the works of such prominent animal rights philosophers as Peter Singer and Tom Regan.Unique in viewing Plutarch’s opinions not only in the context of ancient philosophical and ethical through, but also in its place in the history of animal rights speculation, Animals Rights and Reasons points out how remarkably Plutarch differs from such anti-animal thinkers as the Stoics.Classicists, philosophers, animal-welfare students and interested readers will all find this book an invaluable and informative addition to their reading.

Although reasoned discourse on human-animal relations is often considered a late twentieth-century phenomenon, ethical debate over animals and how humans should treat them can be traced back to the philosophers and literati of the classical world. From Stoic assertions that humans owe nothing to animals that are intellectually foreign to them, to Plutarch's impassioned arguments for animals as sentient and rational beings, it is clear that modern debate owes much to Greco-Roman thought. Animals in Greek and Roman Thought brings together new translations of classical passages which contributed to ancient debate on the nature of animals and their relationship to human beings. The selections chosen come primarily from philosophical and natural historical works, as well as religious, poetic and biographical works. The questions discussed include: Do animals differ from humans intellectually? Were animals created for the use of humankind? Should animals be used for food, sport, or sacrifice? Can animals be our friends? The selections are arranged thematically and, within themes, chronologically. A commentary precedes each excerpt, transliterations of Greek and Latin technical terms are provided, and each entry includes bibliographic suggestions for further reading.

Although reasoned discourse on human-animal relations is often considered a late twentieth-century phenomenon, ethical debate over animals and how humans should treat them can be traced back to the philosophers and literati of the classical world. From Stoic assertions that humans owe nothing to animals that are intellectually foreign to them, to Plutarch's impassioned arguments for animals as sentient and rational beings, it is clear that modern debate owes much to Greco-Roman thought. Animals in Greek and Roman Thought brings together new translations of classical passages which contributed to ancient debate on the nature of animals and their relationship to human beings. The selections chosen come primarily from philosophical and natural historical works, as well as religious, poetic and biographical works. The questions discussed include: Do animals differ from humans intellectually? Were animals created for the use of humankind? Should animals be used for food, sport, or sacrifice? Can animals be our friends? The selections are arranged thematically and, within themes, chronologically. A commentary precedes each excerpt, transliterations of Greek and Latin technical terms are provided, and each entry includes bibliographic suggestions for further reading.

The second edition of Animals in Greek and Roman Thought: A Sourcebook offers a detailed introduction to Greco-Roman thought on the intellectual and emotional capacities of non-human animals and on the ethical dimensions of human-non-human animal interactions.Selections translated from Greek and Roman philosophical, natural scientific, religious, historical and poetic literature, complemented with extensive explanatory commentaries, provide the reader with an appreciation for the depth and breadth of classical speculation on non-human species. Bibliographies updated and augmented for this second edition offer guidance for further study on topics included in the volume. A new feature in this edition is a chapter containing a generous selection of passages that illustrate all sides of the complex ancient debate on whether non-human animals have the cognitive faculties needed for true emotional experiences, a subject at the forefront of current philosophical and scientific debate on animal intellect to which the Greeks and Roman contributed substantially.This updated and expanded edition remains a critical resource for students and scholars in the areas of classical studies, ancient animal studies, philosophy and ethics, and ancient ecology and environmental issues.

The second edition of Animals in Greek and Roman Thought: A Sourcebook offers a detailed introduction to Greco-Roman thought on the intellectual and emotional capacities of non-human animals and on the ethical dimensions of human-non-human animal interactions.Selections translated from Greek and Roman philosophical, natural scientific, religious, historical and poetic literature, complemented with extensive explanatory commentaries, provide the reader with an appreciation for the depth and breadth of classical speculation on non-human species. Bibliographies updated and augmented for this second edition offer guidance for further study on topics included in the volume. A new feature in this edition is a chapter containing a generous selection of passages that illustrate all sides of the complex ancient debate on whether non-human animals have the cognitive faculties needed for true emotional experiences, a subject at the forefront of current philosophical and scientific debate on animal intellect to which the Greeks and Roman contributed substantially.This updated and expanded edition remains a critical resource for students and scholars in the areas of classical studies, ancient animal studies, philosophy and ethics, and ancient ecology and environmental issues.