The Perfection of Nature: Animals, Breeding, and Race in the Renaissance

The Renaissance in Italy and the Spanish Empire was shaped by a fascination with breeding, which led to the development of ideas of race and inheritance through animal breeding. Mackenzie Cooley's book "The Perfection of Nature" provides a close reading of undertheorized notions of generation and its discontents in the more-than-human world, adding nuance and historical context to discussions of race and human and animal relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

The Renaissance, a time of great cultural and intellectual flourishing in Europe, is often celebrated for its emphasis on human potential and the belief that individuals could shape their own destinies. However, a less-known aspect of this era is the profound fascination with breeding that had a significant impact on both Renaissance Italy and the Spanish empire. In his book "The Perfection of Nature: Race, Science, and the Origins of the Modern Animal," Mackenzie Cooley delves into the intricate relationship between animal breeding, race, and inheritance during the early modern period.

Early modern artisans practiced animal breeding as a means to improve the quality of their livestock and increase their productivity. However, this practice also gave rise to new ideas about race and inheritance. Cooley argues that the concept of race, which was initially applied to animal stock, gradually expanded to include human animals as the Spanish empire expanded. The idea of race was not rigid or fixed, but rather a fragile result of reproductive work.

As the Spanish empire expanded, the concept of race moved from nonhuman to human animals. Cooley reveals how the dangerous idea of controlled reproduction was brought to life again and again, leading to the birth of a rich and complex language of race and breeding. This language was used to describe and categorize individuals based on their physical characteristics, genetic makeup, and perceived abilities.

The book also provides a close reading of undertheorized notions of generation and its discontents in the more-than-human world. Cooley explores how the idea of race and breeding shaped not only human and animal relations but also the broader cultural and intellectual landscape of the Renaissance. He shows how the fascination with breeding influenced the development of new scientific theories, such as the theory of evolution, and how it contributed to the construction of racial hierarch

In conclusion, "The Perfection of Nature" is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the complex and often overlooked relationship between animal breeding, race, and inheritance during the early modern period. By tracing the origins of the concept of race and its evolution through the lens of animal breeding, Cooley provides a fresh perspective on the Renaissance and its relationship to the broader history of science and society. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of science, race, and human-animal relations.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226822280
Edition number: 1