GA4

Sunday, January 01, 2006

ARISTOTLE'S HISTORY OF ANIMALS

Happy New Year everybody! Let me introduce you to my new blog which can be found at Aristotle's History Of Animals. I came across this ancient document while surfing around the web the other day, and because it is broken up into numerous small chapters, it makes perfect reading in daily chunks. It's a fascinating insight into thoughts and opinions on from a perspective of some 2400 years ago. I have daily segments lined up for posting over the next few months, (most not as long as the first segment). If you'd like to subscribe to the RSS feed for Aristotle's History Of Animals, here's some options...
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Here's a short segment from Day 1...
Animals also differ from one another in regard to character in the following respects. Some are good-tempered, sluggish, and little prone to ferocity, as the ox; others are quick tempered, ferocious and unteachable, as the wild boar; some are intelligent and timid, as the stag and the hare; others are mean and treacherous, as the snake; others are noble and courageous and high-bred, as the lion; others are thorough-bred and wild and treacherous, as the wolf: for, by the way, an animal is highbred if it come from a noble stock, and an animal is thorough-bred if it does not deflect from its racial characteristics.

Further, some are crafty and mischievous, as the fox; some are spirited and affectionate and fawning, as the dog; others are easy-tempered and easily domesticated, as the elephant; others are cautious and watchful, as the goose; others are jealous and self-conceited, as the peacock. But of all animals man alone is capable of deliberation.

Many animals have memory, and are capable of instruction; but no other creature except man can recall the past at will.

With regard to the several genera of animals, particulars as to their habits of life and modes of existence will be discussed more fully by and by.