Single Idea 4270

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 5. Rationality / c. Animal rationality]

Full Idea

The difficulty of defining reason suggests that while pretending to use it to define the difference between humans and animals, they are actually using that difference to define reason.

Gist of Idea

Do we use reason to distinguish people from animals, or use that difference to define reason?

Source

Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.19)

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'Animal Rights and Wrongs' [Demos 1996], p.19


A Reaction

Too pessimistic. We are perfectly capable of saying there is no significant difference between us and an alien. We have obvious abilities, which we can partly specify.