tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-859614700530685207.post1997711685146449373..comments2023-09-09T05:19:30.768-07:00Comments on Liberal Artistry: Great Books: Aristotle's Politics Book One (Part 2)R and Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12480766483935731373noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-859614700530685207.post-86336734153512145642009-10-21T23:12:49.931-07:002009-10-21T23:12:49.931-07:00Well said. When Kendra worked at a zoo, we spent m...Well said. When Kendra worked at a zoo, we spent many hours in contemplation of the chasm that yawned between the experience of a wild animal and one in captivity. While it was impossible to defend the position that either was inherently superior to the other in every case, the binary nature of the question always intrigued us. Our relationship with our pets is so shaped by culture that it is often nigh impossible to ascertain whether the relationship is genuinely beneficent or just so instinctual that we are unable to recognize the little cruelties we visit on those animals whom we presume to love for what they are.R and Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12480766483935731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-859614700530685207.post-22047189705906405512009-10-21T23:11:06.782-07:002009-10-21T23:11:06.782-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.R and Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12480766483935731373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-859614700530685207.post-34582886929239825072009-10-21T20:24:25.144-07:002009-10-21T20:24:25.144-07:00I naturally found your commentary on Aristotle'...I naturally found your commentary on Aristotle's anthropocentrism and his argument that the animal kingdom is better off under the rule of man intriguing. It is true that from a broad view, dogs and cats have been the greatest "benificiaries" of this relationship. But I would also put forth the consideration that our intervention in their wild ancestry has produced the requirement that we rule over, and provide them with care. When examining the extreme results of breeding for specific, "desireable" traits, we have in many instances created such tremendous imbalances, that these species would not survive on their own. While we seem Hell-bent on destroying habitats, over-hunting, fishing, etc., at least our wild animals are left with the dignity of retaining their naturally evolving forms, and are not made lifelong "infants" as a result of our pursuit of aesthetics and domestication. They are not purely under our care--they are at our mercy. <br /><br />While I know this aspect of the conversation is not at the heart of the piece, it's the one that struck me.Samminoreply@blogger.com