The Animal That Therefore I Am

This insightful book explores Jacques Derrida's ten-hour address on the philosophical implications of human-animal relationships, titled The Animal That Therefore I Am.

This book presents a translation of Jacques Derrida's extensive ten-hour address delivered at the 1997 Cerisy conference, titled The Autobiographical Animal. This address marks the third of four colloquia focused on his philosophical work. The text was compiled posthumously, drawing from two published sections, a recorded session, and an informal discussion, allowing readers to engage with Derrida's thoughts in a comprehensive manner.

The Animal That Therefore I Am delves into the multifaceted roles that animals play in Derrida's philosophical inquiries. It serves as both a nostalgic reflection and a deep critique of how animal life has been marginalized through historical distinctions, particularly the Cartesian separation between humans and other species. Derrida examines how this demarcation has influenced various philosophical thinkers, including Descartes, Kant, Heidegger, Lacan, and Levinas, offering extended analyses of their perspectives.

The book intertwines autobiographical elements with philosophical discourse, notably through the lens of vulnerability and exposure, as illustrated by Derrida's experience with his cat. This leads to profound questions about perception and the nature of being seen. While The Animal That Therefore I Am advocates for a more humane treatment of animals, Derrida also challenges oversimplified views of animal rights, urging a deeper exploration of the definitions of life and existence that permeate his later works.