Animality in Contemporary Italian Philosophy

Description

Animality in Contemporary Italian Philosophy, edited by Felice Cimatti and Carlo Salzani, is an in-depth exploration of how contemporary Italian thinkers have approached the question of animality, redefining the boundaries between the human and the non-human. The volume brings together key contributions that reflect the unique trajectory of Italian philosophy, particularly its engagement with biopolitics, post-humanism, and the critique of anthropocentrism. The book traces the intellectual lineage from figures like Giorgio Agamben and Roberto Esposito to more recent voices, showing how the Italian philosophical tradition has developed a distinctive way of thinking about life, subjectivity, and species boundaries. Central to the discussion is the idea that the human/animal divide is not a simple biological distinction but a political and philosophical construction that serves to define what counts as "human." The contributors argue that modern Western thought has traditionally positioned animals as the "other" of humanity, often denying them agency, rights, and meaningful existence beyond their utility for humans. In contrast, contemporary Italian philosophy seeks to dismantle this hierarchy by showing that animality is not an external condition but something intrinsic to human life itself. The book delves into Agamben's concept of "bare life" and the figure of the "anthropological machine," which continually produces and excludes animality to sustain human identity. It also examines Esposito's notion of "bios" and his reflections on immunity and community, highlighting how these concepts open up new ways of thinking about interspecies relations and ethical responsibility toward non-human life. Other essays in the collection explore the role of language, consciousness, and affect in shaping our understanding of animals, as well as the political and ethical implications of blurring the human-animal divide. Overall, Animality in Contemporary Italian Philosophy offers a comprehensive and critical survey of how Italian thinkers have contributed to the global debate on animal studies and post-humanism. It challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about life, species, and ethics in a world where traditional boundaries are increasingly questioned. The volume positions Italian philosophy as a vital contributor to contemporary discussions on animality, life, and the future of ethical and political thought.