Animal Consciousness

Daisie Radner, Michael Radner

ISBN 10: 1573921149 / ISBN 13: 9781573921145

Published by Prometheus Books, US, 1996

Any intelligent debate on the ethical treatment of animals hinges on understanding their mental processes. The idea that consciousness in animals is beyond comprehension is usually traced to the 17th-century philosopher Ren. Descartes whose concept of animals as beast machines lacking consciousness influenced arguments for more than 200 years. But in reviewing Descartes' theory of mind, Daisie and Michael Radner demonstrate in "Animal Consciousness" that he did not hold the view so frequently attributed to him. In fact, they contend that Descartes distinguished two types of consciousness, which make it easier to discuss the conscious experiences of animals and to trace the debate into the post-Darwinian era. Seller Inventory # LU-9781573921145

Synopsis:

Any intelligent debate on the ethical treatment of animals hinges on understanding their mental processes. The idea that consciousness in animals is beyond comprehension is usually traced to the 17th-century philosopher Ren. Descartes whose concept of animals as beast machines lacking consciousness influenced arguments for more than 200 years. But in reviewing Descartes' theory of mind, Daisie and Michael Radner demonstrate in "Animal Consciousness" that he did not hold the view so frequently attributed to him. In fact, they contend that Descartes distinguished two types of consciousness, which make it easier to discuss the conscious experiences of animals and to trace the debate into the post-Darwinian era.

About the Author: Daisie and Michael Radner are associate professors of philosophy at, respectively, the State University of New York at Buffalo and McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Animal Consciousness
Publisher: Prometheus Books, US
Publication Date: 1996
Binding: Paperback
Condition: New