Animals and Why They Matter

by Mary Midgley

Animals and Why They Matter examines the barriers that our philosophical traditions have erected between human beings and animals and reveals that the too-often ridiculed subject of animal rights is an issue crucially related to such problems within the human community as racism, sexism, and age discrimination. Mary Midgley's profound and clearly written narrative is a thought-provoking study of the way in which the opposition between reason and emotion has shaped our moral and political ideas and the problems it has raised. Whether considering vegetarianism, women's rights, or the "humanity" of pets, this book goes to the heart of the question of why all animals matter.

Genres: Philosophy, Animals, Nonfiction, Science, Academic

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Mary Beatrice Midgley (née Scrutton; 13 September 1919 – 10 October 2018[1]) was a British philosopher. She was a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Newcastle University and was known for her work on science, ethics and animal rights. She wrote her first book, Beast And Man (1978), when she was in her fifties. She has since written over 15 other books, including Animals and Why They Matter (1983), Wickedness (1984), The Ethical Primate (1994), Evolution as a Religion (1985), and Science as Salvation (1992). She has been awarded honorary doctorates by Durham and Newcastle universities. Her autobiography, The Owl of Minerva, was published in 2005.

Midgley strongly opposed reductionism and scientism, and any attempts to make science a substitute for the humanities—a role for which it is, she argued, wholly inadequate. She wrote extensively about what philosophers can learn from nature, particularly from animals. A number of her books and articles discussed philosophical ideas appearing in popular science, including those of Richard Dawkins. She also wrote in favour of a moral interpretation of the Gaia hypothesis. The Guardian described her as a fiercely combative philosopher and the UK's "foremost scourge of 'scientific pretension.'"

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Midgley is a treasure - an 0xford-trained philosopher who didn't publish her first book until middle age, she has a knack for clearing through academic rubbish. This slim little volume clears away a lot of the prejudices that prevent people from taking animals seriously as a moral question.

[Jonathan.hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and witty defense of animals' minds and moral status.

[John Dolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike some philosophers who are inclined to navel-gazing, Midgley gets straight to the nub of the matter. Her prose is unfussy and a joy to read. She slices through fuzzy-thinking humbug like a knife through butter. Moreover, her philosophical writings have a practical purpose. Delightful, informative and eminently readable.

[JP · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topic is dry
It's about treatment of animals and
more over this book was published in 1983
Am reading it on 2019 about animal rights and lot of changes happened after...
Now, there is an association called PETA to take care animal rights
hence
I have to do time-travel back to read this book.
The analysis of how human treated the animal without morals..etc.etc
The book echo her lone voice in support of rights for animals
Lot of interpretation for and against.. She analysed thoroughly before penned it.
But, Very boring ..

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prima fra una saggistica che diverrà estremamente influente, non riesce a offrire un programma teorico per affrontare il problema, benché comunque lasci spunti di riflessione e offra una visione di come era affrontato per la prima volta il movimento animalista negli anni 80

[Cary Keen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to the subject.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about ethics. Midgley examines many moral theories and how they relate to animal rights. she also shows how our treatment of animals can effect our relationship among other humans. As a vegetarian for over a decade, I'm a bit biased, but even for those out there who are not, this book will make you think.

[Maia W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading for ethics

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and witty defense of animals' minds and moral status.