Project description DEENESFRITPL A deep look at the history of humans’ perceived power over animals The overarching objective of the EU-funded project GOVERN-ANIMALITY is to offer critical reflection on the shaping of modern forms of knowledge-power over living beings. Specifically, research will focus on different forms of animal exploitation in the modern period, from the mid-17th to the 19th century. The aim is to write an epistemological and political history of animal government using various historical sources, covering the range from philosophical, naturalistic and economic texts to technical manuals. The project is guided by the central question: What are the actual logics of power over animals, and how did they change over the course of the modern period? The project also envisions restoring, at least in part, the agency of animals. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective """History of Animal Governmentality: Models of Animal Exploitation and Resistance in Europe (mid-17th-19th Centuries)"" (GOVERN-ANIMALITY) investigates the different forms of animal exploitation taking place in Europe between the mid-17th and the 19th century. By linking together concepts and practices of human relationships to other animals, my aim is to write an epistemological and political history of animal government. To this end, I use different kinds of historical sources, ranging from philosophical, naturalistic, and economic texts to technical manuals (equestrian, veterinary, and zootechnical works). My central question is: what are the actual logics of power over animals, and how did they change over the course of the modern period? By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, GOVERN-ANIMALITY intertwines the epistemological problem of the status of living beings in the history of philosophy and science, with the material history of animal husbandry. This project uses methodological tools that have not been previously employed in the analysis of animal exploitation: namely, historical epistemology and Foucault’s genealogy. By including the voice of the technicians of animal exploitation – who provide abundant testimony of animals' needs and resistance –, this project also aims to restore, at least in part, the agency of animals. Moreover, it looks at the connections between animal inferiorization and mechanisms of animalisation deployed against a variety of human categories. Within the context of a growing academic and social interest in the relationship between human societies and nature, intensified by recent ecological and pandemic crises, GOVERN-ANIMALITY thus provides a critical reflection on the shaping of modern forms of knowledge-power over living beings, characterising Western societies." Fields of science humanitiesphilosophy, ethics and religionphilosophyepistemologyhumanitieshistory and archaeologyhistoryagricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandry Programme(s) HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme Topic(s) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 Call for proposal HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG-UN - HORIZON Unit Grant Coordinator ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUDES EN SCIENCES SOCIALES Net EU contribution € 195 914,88 Address 54 bd raspail 75270 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window EU contribution No data
