The Philosopher's Dog: The Philosopher's Dog: Friendships with Animals

by Raimond and Raimond Gaita

Book Overview

The philosopher Raimond Gaita has always been fascinated by animals- their obvious intelligence and disturbing brutality, their uncanny responsiveness to our moods and needs, the deep feelings they elicit from us and seem to return. In this marvelous, luminous book, Gaita trains the lens of philosophy on the mystery and beauty of the animals he has known and loved best. The Philosopher's Dog is one of those rare works that engage the heart from the very first paragraph and haunt the mind long after one has finished reading.

What does Gaita's dog, Gypsy, think about while she sits on her mat gazing out to sea for hours on end? Why did the irascible cockatoo Jack greet Gaita's father with kisses each morning but bite everyone else? How can we acknowledge that animals are sentient and yet deny that they have consciousness? Is it possible to love animals and still eat meat? In contemplating questions like these, Gaita weaves together personal stories-inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking accounts about the animals he and his family members have sheltered-with the reflections and analysis of a professional philosopher.

A graceful, engaging stylist, Gaita is perfectly lucid as he grapples with great thinkers through the ages-from Socrates to Wittgenstein, Descartes to Hannah Arendt. And yet, as important as formal philosophy has been to him, Gaita frankly acknowledges that he has learned much about the nature of life from Gypsy and Jack and his courageously arrogant cat Tosca. In the end, he argues that love should be the essence of our bond with animals, the critical factor that guides how we treat them and think about their place in our world.

In pondering the meaning and morality of his relationships with animals, and with the natural world more generally, Raimond Gaita has created a surprising masterpiece, a book of startling insights, spellbinding stories, meticulous observations, and wise reflection. At once engrossing and thought-provoking, The Philosopher's Dog is a supremely enjoyable book.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812970241
• ISBN13: 9780812970241
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Random House Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, but not an easy one!!

I found this book very moving and pleasant to read, but I am talking mostly of the first half. The second half gets really tough if you don't have a solid knowledge of philosophy...but it's certainly a very good and chalenging book. I recommend it!

You Decide

I am one of those people who love animals, hate to see anything killed and have at times had closer friendships with my dogs than some humans I know. Some call this weird but for me it is a way of life. When I first started this book I felt it would be a simple book with the concept of how 'human' animals could be; this was not so. Written by Raimond Gaita; a professor of moral philosophy in London, I found this was not a fluff work but one written with thought provoking material. The author shares stories of some animals he has encountered in his life, such as his dog Gypsy, and Jack, a cockatoo. Often heartbreaking, sometimes light-hearted, these stories showed their behavior in this world we share with them. He gives us some conclusions from others who have studies animals and also his own thoughts on the subject matter. Although I didn't agree with every conclusion in some mattes the author did; I felt the he was giving us an opportunity to come to mull them over and make our own decisions about animals and I liked that. A very interesting read that will definitely give opportunity for thought.

For a dog? Why yes...

I enjoyed this book very much. It's written in the style of an introduction to moral philosophy with application to how we think of and relate to animals, especially pets. Though I haven't read any of the philosophers the author references and so may not be the best judge, I don't think the philosophical discussions are dumbed down at all. Many times over the course of reading this book I had to read a passage more than once, and slowly, to try to figure out exactly what he is saying, not because the writing is unclear but because the concepts are not simple. He does a great job of weaving abstract arguments with compelling and heartfelt experiences in the real world. It was a rewarding experience to read an author whose commitment both to his subject and his audience is so clear. I may not agree with every conclusion or conjecture he offers, but I absolutely appreciate his efforts to demonstrate the value of clear thinking to deepen appreciation of things we love. Definitely a thought provoking book in the best sense. If you enjoy quality writing, philosophical dilemmas and the company of animals, I highly recommend this book. Note on one of the editorial reviews: if he takes issue with the idea of a "doctrine of animal rights" he does not mean people should be free to do whatever they please to animals. Quite the contrary. His ideas are compassionate and carefully thought out, and well worth exploring. Thanks to this book, I've found myself accidentally thinking deep thoughts when I should be pondering the latest celebrity scandal or exciting product offering. Kudos to Mr. Gaita!