Unbecoming Human: Philosophy of Animality After Deleuze

Felice Cimatti explores what human animality looks like, showing that becoming animal means to stop thinking of humanity as the reference point of nature and the world. He creates a dialogue with Flaubert, Derrida, Temple Grandin, Heidegger, Malaparte, and Landolfi to discuss our humanity and our unknown animality.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The true nature of human behavior remains largely enigmatic and shrouded in mystery. Being human signifies a departure from animalistic existence, a transcendence beyond mere animal nature. In his exploration, Felice Cimatti, drawing upon the insights of Gilles Deleuze, delves into the concept of human animality. He reveals that embracing an animalistic nature involves relinquishing the notion that humanity holds the central position in nature and the world. Instead, our value as humans becomes equal to that of clouds, rocks, or spiders. Cimatti employs a diverse range of texts, spanning from philosophical ethology to classical literature, continental philosophy, and even works by authors such as Flaubert, Derrida, Temple Grandin, Heidegger, Malaparte, and Landolfi, to engage in a captivating dialogue about human essence and the enigmatic aspect of our unknown animality. Through this intricate discussion, Cimatti offers a profound exploration of our humanity and the enigmatic depths of our animal nature.

Weight: 331g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474443401