Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī on Animal Cognition and Immortality

Abstract: This paper is devoted to a fascinating passage in Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 1210), in which he argues that non-human animals have rational souls. It is found in his Mulaḫḫaṣ fī l-manṭiq wa-l-ḥikma (Epitome on Philosophy and Logic). Following a discussion of the afterlife, Faḫr al-Dīn suggests that animals should, like humans, be capable of grasping universals, and that they are aware of their own identity over time. Furthermore, animal behavior shows that they are capable of rational planning and problem-solving. We contextualize these arguments with reference to Faḫr al-Dīn’s other philosophical works, and also compare the considerations he raises to ideas found in modern-day animal ethics, drawing here especially on the work of Mark Rowlands. The paper concludes with a translation of the passage.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Standort: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Umfang: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī on Animal Cognition and Immortality ; volume:106 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; pages:23-52 ; extent:30 ; Archiv für Geschichte der Philosophie ; 106, Heft 1 (2024), 23-52 (gesamt 30)

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Urheber: Adamson, Peter ; Somma, Bethany

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: 10.1515/agph-2021-0171
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024030513452088608704
• Rechteinformation: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 14.08.2025, 10:51 MESZ