This volume traces the history of animals in philosophy, from antiquity down to contemporary times. Negative attitudes towards animals, as found in Aristotle and Descartes, turn out to be more nuanced than usually supposed, while remarkable discussions of animal welfare appear in late antiquity, India, the Islamic world, and Kant.
Those who have pondered ethical treatment of nonhuman animals, their behavior and cognition, and their supposed inferiority to humans will particularly appreciate this volume ... The contributors are accomplished in their fields, and their prose is accessible ... Highly recommended.