Brier-Patch Philosophy

by William Joseph Long

This book delves into the fascinating and often contentious question of animal intelligence. The author, writing from a perspective informed by years of observation of wild animals, challenges the prevailing scientific view that animals are merely driven by instinct and incapable of thought. In a playful and engaging style, the author uses the guise of a rabbit to examine the arguments of various naturalists and psychologists, exposing their flaws and highlighting the limitations of their methods. The book explores themes of animal behavior, the limitations of human knowledge, and the nature of reason itself. Through witty anecdotes and insightful observations, the author compels readers to reconsider their assumptions about the animal world and the very nature of consciousness, leading them to a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life.

Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2018

About the author

William Joseph Long (1867-1952) was an American writer, naturalist and minister. He lived and worked in Stamford, Connecticut as a minister of the First Congregationalist Church.