KERA's Think
The wisdom of dogs
Feb 20, 2025
Mark Rowlands, a philosophy professor at the University of Miami and author of "The Word of Dog," shares insights from his experiences with his dog, Shadow. He discusses how dogs live in the moment, offering lessons on happiness without existential worries. Rowlands reflects on profound themes like morality, exploring whether dogs can exhibit moral behaviors. He contrasts the simplistic joys of canine life with human complexities and dives into the transformative power of love in managing behavior, ultimately revealing how much we can learn from our furry companions.
43:59
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Quick takeaways
- Dogs, like the speaker's dog Shadow, exemplify the joy of living in the present, finding meaning in simple pleasures despite life's futility.
- Through their emotional capabilities, dogs engage morally with humans, highlighting a form of morality that is rooted in feelings and well-being.
Deep dives
The Joy in Routine
Dogs, exemplified by the speaker’s dog, Shadow, find profound joy in repetitive activities that humans often perceive as mundane. Shadow's daily ritual of chasing iguanas serves as an engaging routine that brings him happiness despite its Sisyphean nature, echoing the Greek myth where Sisyphus endlessly rolls a boulder uphill. This insight leads to a reflection on human existence, suggesting that while we often dwell on the meaning behind our tasks, dogs embody a pure enjoyment of life that is unexamined and free of existential angst. The speaker proposes that in observing this joyful return to routine, dogs teach humans about finding meaning in simple pleasures, despite the apparent futility in their endeavors.
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