Ihmisen ja eläimen suhteesta varhaisessa kreikkalaisessa ajattelussa

Authors

• Liisa Kaski

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30666/elore.79051

Abstract

The worldview of antiquity is traditionally seen as being anthropocentric. However, there exists a philosophical tradition that calls for just treatment of non-human animals, seeing the fates of humans and other animals as interlinked. This article traces this continuum of thought spanning from archaic poetry, mythology and religious ritual to Late Antiquity. Particular attention is given to the work of two philosophers, Plutarch and Empedocles. The second half of the article concentrates on the collective traditions that may have informed the work of these philosophers. Animal figures and metaphors occur frequently in archaic poetry, and close relationship between gods and animals is a recurring theme in mythology. It is also noted that the Greek word for ”animal” – ζῷον – is semantically wide and covers not only animals but also humans and gods. Finally, the article looks at two religious rituals in which the animal metaphor deepens towards metamorphosis. A conclusion is drawn that the idea of mimesis, which formed the foundation of ancient Greek education and was used particularly in rituals, both required and developed the ability to identify with the other, and that the echoes of this deep communion can be found in the thinking of Empedocles and Plutarch.