The Animal That Therefore I Am

"The Animal That Therefore I Am" is a philosophical essay by Jacques Derrida that examines the relationship between humans and animals, questioning our assumptions about consciousness, language, and existence. Derrida critiques the traditional view that separates humans from animals based on reason and speech. He suggests that recognizing our shared existence with animals challenges how we understand identity and ethics. The essay pushes us to reconsider how we define "the human" and confronts the moral implications of how we treat animals, advocating for a more inclusive view of life beyond mere human-centric perspectives.