Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHI3052

 
TITLE Philosophy of the Animal

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Philosophy

 
DESCRIPTION Ever since its inception, the discipline of Philosophy has always defined itself in relation - and most often in opposition - to the animal in general. It suffices to think of how the Modern thinker Descartes defines the essence of the animal in terms of a mindless "automaton" or machine who is incapable of thought. It would nevertheless be premature to conclude that animals were simply treated with derision throughout the history of Western philosophy, for there have also been a number of thinkers - such as Diogenes of Sinope, Bentham, Nietzsche, and Derrida to name but a few - who sought to understand the human/animal relation in a more nuanced and complex manner.

This study-unit is essentially divided into two parts. In the first half of the unit, students shall be given the opportunity to study the complex and heterogeneous role accorded to the animal throughout the history of Western philosophy by looking at a selection of readings ranging from Aristotle to Derrida. In the second half of the study-unit, students will then philosophically analyse, compare, and assess notions such as those of anthropocentrism and speciesism in order to tease out their philosophical, ethical, and political ramifications. In so doing, students will be able to understand and assess both the complex nature of the human/animal relation, as well as assess its implications for contemporary cultural and philosophical discourse.

Study-Unit Aims:

- allow for the thorough investigation of the status accorded to animals in seminal philosophical texts;
- facilitate the exploration of primary works by a selection of thinkers dealing with the human/animal relation;
- enable students to familiarise themselves with a number of concepts shaping contemporary debate surrounding the ethico-political status of animals;
- encourage students to systematically and philosophically question the distinction between man and animal.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- enhance their knowledge of the current debates and issues in the field of animal studies;
- assess the main thoughts shaping contemporary ethico-political discussions on the nature and status of animals;
- summarise the main arguments of particular thinkers in order to assess the merits and deficiencies of their position;
- apply philosophical theory to practice.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- evaluate the merits and deficiencies of different philosophers writing about animals;
- meaningfully and rigorously engage in discussions pertaining to the nature and status of the animal;
- identify and reflect upon fundamental concepts in the field of animal philosophy;
- construct and present clear and cogent arguments, and interpret prominent philosophical concepts in a written assignment.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Atterton, Peter, and Calarco, Matthew (eds) (2012) Animal Philosophy: Essential Readings in Continental Thought. London: Continuum.
- Calarco, Matthew (2022) The Boundaries of Human Nature: The Philosophical Animal From Plato to Haraway. New York: Columbia University Press.
- Calarco, Matthew (2015) Thinking Through Animals: Identity, Difference, Indistinction. California: Stanford University Press.
- Derrida, Jacques (2008) The Animal that Therefore I am. New York: Fordham University Press.
- Simondon, Gilbert (2011) Two Lessons on Animal and Man. Minneapolis: Univocal.

Supplementary Readings:

- Calarco, Matthew (2008) Zoographies: The Question of the Animal from Heidegger to Derrida. New York: Columbia University Press.
- Calarco, Matthew (2021) Animal Studies: Key Concepts. London: Routledge.
- Waldau, Paul (2013) Animal Studies: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- A selection of other readings will be made available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 50%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Niki Young

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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