The Animal Turn as a Challenge to Humanism

This chapter proposes that the so-called animal turn—an increased interest in the human–animal relationship in the humanities and social sciences that can be traced back to the 1970s—while certainly challenging human uniqueness, in fact fits the logic of the humanist project broadly construed. After introducing some of the key works and approaches in the animal turn and presenting the main tenets of the modern attitude to animals, the author proceeds to analyze three of the main theoretical approaches in animal studies: Darwinian, anti-humanist and posthumanist. Krzysztof Skonieczny argues that while all of these are irreconcilable with classic humanism, they can also be seen as continuations of the humanist project thanks to their commitment to liberation and creating a more just community.