Language Ethics and Animal Life

A number of factors-new research into human and animal consciousness a heightened awareness of the methods and consequences of intensive farming and modern concerns about animal welfare and ecology-have made our relationship to animals an area of burning interest in contemporary philosophy. Utilizing methods inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein the contributors to this volume explore this area in a variety of ways.<br/><br/>Topics discussed include: <br/><br/>* scientific vs. non-scientific ways of describing human and animal behaviour<br/>* the ethics of eating particular animal species<br/>* human nature emotions and instinctive reactions<br/>* responses of wonder towards the natural world<br/>* the moral relevance of literature<br/>* the concept of dignity<br/>* the question of whether non-human animals can use language<br/><br/>This book will be of great value to anyone interested in philosophical and interdisciplinary issues concerning language ethics and humanity's relation to animals and the natural world.