Language, Ethics and Animal Life: Wittgenstein and Beyond

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New research into human and animal consciousness, a heightened awareness of the methods and consequences of intensive farming, and modern concerns about animal welfare and ecology are among the factors that have made our relationship to animals an area of burning interest in contemporary philosophy. Utilizing methods inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein, the contributors to this volume explore this area in a variety of ways. Topics discussed include: scientific vs. non-scientific ways of describing human and animal behaviour; the ethics of eating particular animal species; human nature, emotions, and instinctive reactions; responses of wonder towards the natural world; the moral relevance of literature; the concept of dignity; and the question whether non-human animals can use language. This book will be of great value to anyone interested in philosophical and interdisciplinary issues concerning language, ethics and humanity's relation to animals and the natural world.

Reviews

In sum the anthology is highly recommendable and achieves the aim to offer new ways of thinking about moral and conceptual aspects of human-animal relationships, philosophical methodology and advancement of Wittgensteinian topics, although showing varying strength in individual contributions. -- Yuliya Fadeeva * Ethical Theory and Moral Practice *

Author Bio

Mikel Burley is Lecturer in Religion and Philosophy at the University of Leeds, UK. His previous publications include two books on Indian philosophy, and articles on, among other things, philosophy of religion, ethics, literature, and reincarnation. Nora Hmlinen is post-doctoral researcher and temporary lecturer in philosophy at the University of Helsinki, Finland, and former editor-in-chief of the Helsinki-based cultural weekly Ny Tid. She has written about ethics, literature and the nature of moral theory.