Reviews for Animal Minds and Human Morals: The Origins of the Western Debate

The average rating for Animal Minds and Human Morals: The Origins of the Western Debate based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2015-01-14 00:00:00 Mark Harnen Richard Sorabji challenges the Western/Christian philosophical tradition on the notion derived from Aristotle and the Stoics (and adopted by Augustine) that animals lack reason and are not owed justice. The book is not in the least a work of fluffy sentimentality about animals, nor does it have a political or agenda-motivated tone. The challenge I take away from it? Re-examine our tradition, looking to some of the voices within it that didn't become the mainstream (Plutarch, St. John Chrystosom--actually even certain Aristotelian/Thomist concepts that might hold better stuff than their authors thought), and see if we can pull out a more just understanding of man's relationship to the animals. Plutarch, Lactantius: 1 Aristotle, Aquinas: 0 (Sorry, guys. Still love both of you.) :(

Review # 2 was written on 2008-04-17 00:00:00 Joe Bosko This book was so far over my head! :(