Abstract
Animal Studies is an interdisciplinary field that critically explores the complex relationships between humans and non-human animals, past and present. This field encompasses various disciplines across the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, aiming to challenge traditional anthropocentric views and address the ethical considerations surrounding animal exploitation, oppression, and domination. Through literature, history, and philosophical inquiry, Animal Studies invites a reevaluation of speciesism and promotes a more inclusive understanding of intelligence, emotion, and the capability for communication across species. Animal Studies is an emerging academic discipline dedicated to examining and advocating for a more ethical coexistence between humans and other animals. It seeks to abolish animal exploitation and domination by dissecting the anthropocentric narratives that have historically governed human-animal relations. This paper explores the foundational principles of Animal Studies, its historical development, the pivotal role of literature in shaping our understanding of animals, the philosophical underpinnings of the field as exemplified by Jacques Derrida, and the concept of aesthetic abuse in the representation of animals.
Literature Review
Animals in Literature
Animals have been a constant feature in literature, serving various roles from allegorical characters in fables to complex entities in contemporary narratives. The representation of animals in literature is a rich field of study that reveals much about human perceptions, ethics, and imaginative capabilities. This paper examines the multifaceted ways in which animals are portrayed, highlighting the allegorical use of animal characters in fables and the complexities involved in realistic narratives.
Historical Context
The historical trajectory of Animal Studies is marked by significant milestones, notably Charles Darwin’s “The Origin of Species,” which challenged the anthropocentric views of his time. The paper discusses the evolution of Animal Studies, highlighting the contributions of figures like Peter Singer and Tom Regan in the animal rights movement, and the philosophical inquiries of Jacques Derrida, who introduced a groundbreaking perspective on the human-animal gaze.
Theoretical Framework
Jacques Derrida’s “Animal Question”
This section delves into Jacques Derrida’s contributions to Animal Studies, particularly his deconstructive approach to the human-animal binary. Derrida’s philosophical inquiries into the “animal question” challenge traditional distinctions between humans and animals, advocating for a nuanced understanding of the differences and similarities that exist among living beings. His work underscores the ethical implications of recognizing the otherness and subjectivity of animals.
Aesthetic Abuse
The concept of aesthetic abuse addresses the problematic ways in which animals are represented in human culture and language. This paper explores how animals, through symbols, metaphors, and allegories, are often stripped of their subjectivity, becoming mere objects for human use and interpretation. The discussion extends to the implications of such representations for animal rights and ethical considerations.
Conclusion
Animal Studies presents a critical framework for rethinking the relationships between humans and other animals. By challenging entrenched anthropocentric perspectives and advocating for a recognition of animal subjectivity, the field contributes significantly to ethical discourse and practices. This paper argues for the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding and improving human-animal relations, highlighting the role of literature, philosophy, and critical theory in this endeavor.
References
- Darwin, C. (1859). The Origin of Species.
- Derrida, J. (2002). The Animal That Therefore I Am (More to Follow).
- Singer, P. (1975). Animal Liberation.
- Regan, T. (1983). The Case for Animal Rights.
Beyza Nur AYTOP 