Passionate Animals: Emotions, Animal Ethics, and Moral Pragmatics

(Hardback)

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Passionate Animals: Emotions, Animal Ethics, and Moral Pragmatics draws on the theoretical achievements made in ethics, political philosophy, and human-animal studies, addressing the problem that these advancements have not resulted in practical change toward significantly improved human-animal-relations. Mara-Daria Cojocaru argues that this gap between theory and action can close only if humans live up to the task of becoming passionate animals themselvesand passionate about animals as well. In the tradition of philosophical pragmatism and with reference to congenial thinkers like Mary Midgley, Cojocaru develops a moral pragmatics that highlights the role of emotions in moral and political life and focuses on the institutions necessary to make tangible progress on the problems posed by animal experimentation and factory farming.

Reviews

"Hard-hitting yet lucid, lyrical yet well-argued, this book is a superb example of philosophy that makes a difference. Cojocaru wrestles with how we habitually think of and interact with the animal world and how we should go about changing these habits by renewing our understanding of what it means to be 'human.' In so doing, Cojocaru revives, renews, and adapts the best of the pragmatist and Aristotelian traditions by putting authentic self-reflection and rich philosophical conversation to work in addressing a salient and pressing moral problem with vigour, subtlety, and precision."

-- Joshua Forstenzer, University of Sheffield

"Drawing on insights of the American pragmatists and Mary Midgley, Cojocaru provides an engaging and uncompromising analysis of animal ethics in political context. Passionate Animals is a must-read for those seeking philosophical clarity and real-world guidance on human-animal relations."

-- Gregory S. McElwain, The College of Idaho

"Passionate Animals offers a novel and thought-provoking approach to the convergence position in animal ethics. Eliciting Charles Peirce, John Dewey, and Mary Midgley as philosophical forebearers, Cojocaru gives voice to a pluralistic and pragmatic animal protectionist position set on protecting sentient animals for their own sake, putting an abrupt end to unnecessary suffering and harm. Advocating open-mindedness, selflessness, and hope, Cojocaru draws nuanced conceptions of animality and emotion into conjoint inquiry and philosophical plumbing. Cojocaru convincingly argues that philosophy can offer genuine visions of how institutions and rules can be improved; it can irritate and systematize the habits of thinking, feeling, and acting, conjuring maps of what is still possible."

-- Lee A. McBride, The College of Wooster

"This is the most engaging and original book on animal ethics (and more besides) that I have read in years. It is a compelling example of what Mary Midgley has called 'philosophical plumbing' - revealing the complexity and crucial importance of our judgements and passions with regard to the non-human animals we live alongside."

-- Alasdair Cochrane, University of Sheffield

Author Bio

Mara-Daria Cojocaru is lecturer of practical philosophy at the Jesuit Munich School of Philosophy.