Plutarch on animals: rhetorical strategies in "de sollertia animalium"

Abstract

Over many years of generous friendship and hospitality extended to me by John and Jean, one of the pleasures I have come to associate with visiting them, apart from elegant surroundings, delightful conversation and delicious food and drink, is the benign presence of a variety of animals, most recently that of Benson the dog. I recall John commenting on the absolute conviction of some of his colleagues in Philosophy that Mind does not exist, and adding that this would be a great disappointment to Benson, who is clearly convinced that it does, and that he has one even if he is less sure of his own size in relation to other dogs, particularly Alsatians (Benson is a Yorkshire terrier). This remark leads me to hope that some reflections on Plutarch's dialogue on the intelligence of animals (.Mor. 959b-985a) might be an appropriate way to celebrate John's achievements at Trinity. I hope Benson will enjoy them, 1 too.