Are Humans the Only Rational Animals?

Author:

Melis Giacomo1ORCID,Monsó Susana23

Affiliation:

1. University of Stirling , UK

2. Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia , Spain

3. Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna , Austria

Abstract

Abstract While growing empirical evidence suggests a continuity between human and non-human psychology, many philosophers still think that only humans can act and form beliefs rationally. In this paper, we challenge this claim. We first clarify the notion of rationality. We then focus on the rationality of beliefs and argue that, in the relevant sense, humans are not the only rational animals. We do so by first distinguishing between unreflective and reflective responsiveness to epistemic reasons in belief formation and revision. We argue that unreflective responsiveness is clearly within the reach of many animals. We then defend that a key demonstration of reflective responsiveness would be the ability to respond to undermining defeaters. We end by presenting some empirical evidence that suggests that some animal species are capable of processing these defeaters, which would entail that even by the strictest standards, humans are not the only rational animals.

Funder

UKRI

Austrian Science Fund

Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Philosophy

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