You're an Animal, Plain and Simple

Abstract

In this essay, I argue that we are merely biological organisms. This view (animalism) explains everyday practices like watching ourselves in the mirror. The claim that we are psychological in nature – i.e. wherever our conscious experience goes, we follow – cannot explain something as trivial as watching ourselves in the mirror. Thus, we should accept animalism.

Animalism

“…Precursors to the argument articulated here, each of which emphasizes the simple intuitive appeal of animalism or views in the neighborhood, can be found in Hershenov (2005a): 31, Kaczor (): 4–5, Merricks (2001): 85–86, Murray and Rea (): 264, Olson (1997): 95–97, Snowdon (2014), Chapter 4, Taylor (): 46, van Inwagen (): 246–247, and especially Licon ().…”

“…Recent defenses of animalism include Árnadóttir (), Bailey (2014, 2015), Ayers (), Belshaw (), Blatti (, ), Hershenov (), Licon (, , ), Liao (, ), Mackie (, ), Merricks (), Olson (1997b, 2002c, 2004, 2007b, 2008, 2009, 2014, forthcoming), Snowdon (, , , , , ), Toner (2011, 2014), van Inwagen (), and Yang (, ). Blatti () surveys arguments for and against.…”