Plutarch's Three Treatises on Animals: A Translation with Introductions and Commentary

This volume offers a new translation of Plutarch's Three Treatises on Animals, accompanied by introductions and explanatory commentaries, highlighting his anticipations of arguments in defense of the inclusion of non-human animals in the moral universe. It will interest students of ancient philosophy and natural science, and readers exploring the history of thought on human-non-human animal relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume presents a fresh translation of Plutarch's renowned trilogy on animals, encompassing On the Cleverness of Animals, Whether Beasts Are Rational, and On Eating Meat. Accompanied by insightful introductions and explanatory commentaries, these commentaries aim to elucidate the meaning of the Greek text while also highlighting Plutarch's remarkable foresight in anticipating arguments that are central to contemporary philosophical and ethological discussions in support of the notion that non-human animals possess intellectual and emotional dimensions that warrant their inclusion in the moral realm of human beings.

Plutarch's Three Treatises on Animals will captivate students of ancient philosophy and natural science, as well as anyone interested in delving into the rich history of thought regarding human-non-human animal relations. Within this trilogy, Plutarch's animal treatises occupy a pivotal position, offering valuable insights and perspectives on the complex interplay between humans and other creatures.

The Cleverness of Animals explores the intelligence and cognitive abilities of animals, examining their problem-solving skills, memory, and social behavior. Plutarch's analysis sheds light on the remarkable abilities of animals and challenges traditional views of their cognitive capacities. Whether Beasts Are Rational delves into the question of whether animals possess rational faculties and the extent to which they can be considered moral agents. Plutarch examines various arguments and examples to argue that animals can exhibit rational behavior and make moral decisions, challenging the notion of their inherent lack of reason. On Eating Meat explores the ethical and philosophical considerations surrounding the consumption of meat. Plutarch examines the cultural and societal attitudes towards meat consumption and raises questions about the morality of eating animals. He explores the ethical implications of different meat-eating practices and offers insights into the complex relationship between humans and animals.

Through his meticulous scholarship and thoughtful analysis, Plutarch's Three Treatises on Animals provide a profound exploration of the complex relationship between humans and animals. These treatises not only offer valuable insights into the natural world but also shed light on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of human-animal interactions. By presenting a fresh translation accompanied by comprehensive commentaries, this volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in expanding their understanding of the multifaceted nature of human-non-human animal relations.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367647995