Opposing Descartes’ mechanistic interpretation, Henry More famously defined the latter’s opinion as “murderous”, suggesting his concern for the ethical outcomes of considering animals as deprived of a soul. In this essay I examine More’s ethical attitude towards the animals in a broader context, analysing in particular the role he ascribes to that level of life that human beings share with brutes: animal life. This investigation shows that the main focus of More’s interest is to preserve this connection between the lives of animals and the lives of humans, and at the same time it explains the limits of More’s ethical concern for the animals.
Henry More on Human Passions and Animal Souls
MURATORI C
2012-01-01
Abstract
Opposing Descartes’ mechanistic interpretation, Henry More famously defined the latter’s opinion as “murderous”, suggesting his concern for the ethical outcomes of considering animals as deprived of a soul. In this essay I examine More’s ethical attitude towards the animals in a broader context, analysing in particular the role he ascribes to that level of life that human beings share with brutes: animal life. This investigation shows that the main focus of More’s interest is to preserve this connection between the lives of animals and the lives of humans, and at the same time it explains the limits of More’s ethical concern for the animals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
