Real Animals? An Inquiry on Behalf of Relational Zoöntology

Abstract

The intelligibility of certain environmentalist critiques and animal advocacy positions is underwritten by a realist ontology of animality (or ‘zoontology’). Various constructionist commentaries in human ecology and allied fields tend to undermine this foundation. The present article seeks to defend an intermediate stance ontologically and epistemologically, so as to preserve the significance of eco-critical theories while allowing concerns of contextuality due entry into such analyses. Particular attention is paid to the ontic and epistemic standing of animate entities.