Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2008
Abstract
The volume is a book for wider public in which ?twenty philosophers and dog lovers discuss their experiences with dogs and explore dog/related themes in metaphysics and ethics?. The paper considers the difference between our relation to dogs and children on the background of the contemporary theories of love and attachment.
In the first part the text outlines the common aspects of loving dogs and children that are based on their dependent position. In the second part the difference in the relationship to children is shown to stem from the fact that they must grow up into autonomous adults that are dependent no more.
This process generates difficulties that never appear in the relationship to dogs.