This book strongly challenges the Western philosophical tradition''s assertion that humans are superior to nonhuman animals. It provides a full and direct moral status of nonhuman animals.
The book provides basis for a radical critique of the entire trajectory of animal studies over the past fifteen years. The key idea explored is of -felt kinship- a sense of shared fate with and obligations to all sentient life. It will help to inspire some deep rethinking on the part of leading exponents of animal studies. The book''s strong outlook is expressed through an appeal for radical humility on the side of humans rather than a constant reference to the -human-animal divide-. Historical figures examined in depth include Aristotle; Seneca, and Kant; contemporary figures examined include Christine Korsgaard and Martha Nussbaum. This book presents an account in which the tradition has proceeded based on impartial motivations at all, but instead has made a set of pointedly self-serving a
