David E. Cooper is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Durham University, UK. He has been a Visiting Professor at universities in several countries, including the USA and Sri Lanka. His many books include The Measure of Things: Humanism, Humility and Mystery, A Philosophy of Gardens, Convergence with Nature: A Daoist Perspective,and Senses of Mystery: Engaging with Nature and the Meaning of Life.

Acknowledgements. 1 Misanthropy; Prologue, Feelings and judgements, Human beings, humankind, human nature. 2 Introducing animals; A false start, Two kinds of reflection, A lesson from David Hume, Human animals? Which animals? 3 Human and animal lives; Differences, Affinities, Scepticism, theory and life. 4 Human failings; Reminders, A charge list, Ubiquity and entrenchment. 5 Animal vices and virtues; Animal vices? Human virtues, Animal virtues, Coda: beauty and virtue. 6 Treatment of animals; 'Brutality to "brutes"', Another charge list, Animal suffering and human failings, Conclusion.7 'A fundamental debacle'; Agriculture, hubris, technology, A 'true moral test', 'An eternal Treblinka'? 8 Responding to misanthropy; Optimism, Radicalism, Quietism. 9 Being with animals; Rationality, Attunement, Virtues, emulation and mystery. Index