Tony Robinson's Cunningcast cover image

Do our DOGS Really Love Us?

Tony Robinson's Cunningcast

CHAPTER

The Origins of the Animal Automaton

The idea that we have been experimenting on beagles until really quite recently is to me as a kind of obscenity but it seemed to have some philosophical backing. In the 17th century a philosopher named René Descartes came up with an idea that we often refer to as the idea of the animal automaton. He basically claimed that humans unlike all other beings on earth had as a result of their soul a particular kind of spark of life which meant they could feel things in a way that was for him real.

00:00
Transcript
Play full episode

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner