PHIL*2080 - Animals in Philosophy

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the subject of nonhuman animals and how they have been understood or conceived of in philosophy. A wide range of primary and secondary sources (Western and non-Western) will be examined, starting with philosophers from ancient Greece and culminating with contemporary philosophical writers. This course will examine the concept of the animal itself, the nature of animal minds, the importance of species membership, and the relationship between human and non-human animals. It will also discuss applied issues related to animal welfare, wildlife, agriculture, experimentation, and the environment. This course shall also look at animals in terms of ethical and social/political considerations, including feminist theory. As such, this course addresses the ‘animal question’ from multiple philosophical perspectives, including elements from metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, ethics, and social/political theory, and applies them to practical and pressing issues involving the use of animals for human purposes.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

1. Describe and compare ancient and historical views of animals in both Western and non-Western philosophy.

2. Identify, explain and understand issues, concepts and arguments related to the study of animal minds, consciousness, self-awareness, beliefs, etc.

3. Explicate and analyze the main arguments of at least two philosophers in short written critiques.

4. Examine and critically evaluate the arguments of philosophers on the moral value of animals, social and political views of animals and issues of justice.

5. Apply various views on animals to practical issues involving the use of animals in such things as agriculture, experimentation and research.

6. Explain of how philosophical topics related to animals are approached in both analytic and continental traditions.

7. Engage in debates about animal welfare, animal ethics and the use of animals in various industries.

8. Discuss and debate focused questions on the assigned readings and topics within online discussion forums.

Course Topics

• History of Animals in Philosophy
• Animal Minds, Consciousness and Beliefs
• Species: Definitions, Concepts and Issues
• Animality and the Animal Other
• Animals and Feminist Philosophy
• Animals and Ethics
• Animals and Social/Political Philosophy

Assessment

Note:

Additional Technical Requirements

This course will use the Respondus tool to invigilate one or more exams. In order to use Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, you must meet the following technical requirements:

1. Operating Systems: Windows 10, 8, 7; Mac OS X 10.10 or higher.

2. Memory: Windows 2 GB RAM; Mac 512 MB RAM.

3. For Mac users: Safari must function properly on the computer.

4. Mac users must have Adobe Flash Player installed to Safari, even if a different browser is normally used.

5. Functioning webcam and microphone. The webcam and microphone can be built into your computer or can be the type that plugs in with a USB cable. (You will be required to do an environment scan of your room, so please ensure you can move your computer, laptop or webcam for this scan.)

6. A broadband Internet connection. It is recommended that you access the Internet via a wired connection.