Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human Life
Matt Rosenthal
Blog Response
Feb 3, 2014
The value of Aesop's fables in a society that tries to fulfil certain "values equality and justice"is enormous. In many of Aesop's fables, stronger animals/characters tend to prevail over weaker ones, appearing to reinforce ideals of a rigid, hierarchical class system. Edward Clayton, in his article Aesop, Aristotle, and Animals: The Role of Fables in Human Life, attempts to prove that these fables "can actually point towards democracy, equality, and justice, rather than hierarchy, power, and exploitation" (183). He claims that because animals do not have the reasoning ability, or the power to drastically change themselves and their environments, they tend to make "animalistic," or "instinctual" decisions.
At first glance, people reading these fables might believe that they are being reminded of their futility and helplessness. However, seemingly cruel or unfair animal acts in Aesop's fables serve to remind us that humans are not futile. Unlike animals, humans have the power to establish democracy, justice, and moral code, and to use these things to "plan for the future, and change their environment and behavior" (198). Although we are animals, we are not just animals. We are extraordinary beings that can make decisions for the betterment of ourselves and others.
Here is a question to consider:
Clayton's claims rest on the condition that we live in (or at least have the potential to live in) an orderly and just environment. What happens when our environment, and thereby our conduct, tends towards chaos instead? Do we then become animals, with no reason and no ability to improve ourselves? Or are our reasoning skills just skewed until the proper institutions are put in place to "tame" us?
What is our most basic/primal nature?
Hey Matt,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your response, as I agree with many of the points that you presented. I also found the questions that you proposed at the end of your writing very interesting, and I would like to give my opinion as to what the answers are:
When our environment leans toward chaos and catastrophe, it comes as a direct result of the "animal," instincts present in all of us as human beings. While we may try to contain it on a daily basis, we will ultimately fall back into the same pattern as these animals in the Fables: Do whatever is necessary to survive, with the physically gifted coming out on top.
As you and Clayton had stated above, humans differ from animals largely by the ability to establish democracy, which is intended to promote "equality and wellbeing" for all. As our reasoning skills decline due to a our primal instincts showing up, we look to this set system to keep us balanced, but in my eyes it proves to be little more than temporary relief and a false sense of hope. Maybe our most primal nature is doing whatever is necessary to get what we want.