In this provocative inquiry into the status of animals in human society from the fifth century BC to the present, Rod Preece provides a wholly new perspective on the human-animal relationship. He skillfully demonstrates that, counter to prevailing intellectual opinion, ethical attitudes toward animals are neither restricted to the twentieth century nor the result of Darwin’s theory of evolution. They have been part of Western thought and culture for centuries.

With his usual eloquence, Preece builds a cogent and persuasive argument, challenging current assumptions about the historical status of animals in Western civilization. He dispels the notion that animals were denied ethical consideration by Christian doctrine, refutes the claim that the Cartesian conception of animals as automata was widely embraced, and proves that "theriophily" -- the notion of animal superiority over humans -- was given greater credence than is commonly recognized. The exhaustive research and breadth of knowledge that Preece reveals in this book are matched by his belief in our ethical responsibilities to animals.

Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution will be required reading for those from animal scientists to animal philosophers to animal rights activists who have an interest in the history and philosophy of animal ethics.

Contact WLU Press for information about this author.

Rod Preece's profile page

• Winner, Award for Cover Design, American Association of University Presses
• Winner, Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine
• Short-listed, Harold Adams Innis Prize, Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Science

A book of this breadth and depth rarely comes around ... I learned a lot by reading this book. Preece’s claims are well referenced ... It will be a very valuable resource for anyone interested in the complicated and frustrating interrelationships that have emerged between animals and humans.

Quarterly Review of Biology, volume 81

In Brute Souls, Preece has shaped these findings into a very interesting and stimulating argument about the need to re-evaluate some widespread views on the historical status of animals within Western culture. Overall, this is a very interesting, well-researched book, impressive in scope and full of stimulating ideas. I recommend it to anyone concerned about the status of animals in society and about the development of ethical ideas and social justice in general.

Preece argues against the naturalistic fallacy and suggests that historical, popular, and empirical issues are where one begins when establishing tenable moral beliefs. Thus he ties together the historical and moral analyses. This wise, well-written, scholarly book is filled with insights. Highly recommended.

Choice