The Animal-To-Come: Zoopolitics in Deconstruction

Robert Briggs interprets Derrida's work to take the question of the animal beyond the critique of political and philosophical anthropocentrism, and develops new ways of thinking animal politics by engaging with philosophical ethology and constructivist phenomenology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Rewritten text:

The problematic nature of the human-animal distinction, viewed not as a subject for demonstration but as a given, holds significant implications for political thought. By shifting our attention from the animal itself to the animal-to-come, inherited traditions and institutions continue to shape prevailing concepts of culture and politics. In his groundbreaking interpretation of Derrida's work, Robert Briggs takes the question of the animal beyond the critique of political and philosophical anthropocentrism. Instead of focusing on animal vulnerability, Briggs examines power, politics, and culture in terms of their potential to enable novel images of zoopolitics. He engages with recently translated work in the emerging field of philosophical ethology, such as Vinciane Despret's "What Would Animals Say If We Asked the Right Questions?" (2016) and Dominique Lestel's empirical and constructivist phenomenology of human-animal relations. By departing from established positions in animal studies, Briggs develops new ways of thinking about animal politics in the contemporary context.

This rewritten text explores the complex relationship between human beings and non-human animals, challenging traditional notions of hierarchy and power. It emphasizes the need to consider the perspectives and experiences of animals in our political and ethical deliberations. Briggs' interpretation of Derrida's work offers a fresh approach to understanding the role of animals in society, highlighting the need to expand our understanding of zoopolitics and develop new ways of thinking about animal politics. Through his engagement with philosophical ethology and other interdisciplinary fields, Briggs contributes to the growing body of literature that seeks to reimagine our relationship with other species and promote a more compassionate and sustainable world.

Weight: 435g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474493949