Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī on Animal Cognition and Immortality

Abstract This paper is devoted to a fascinating passage in Faḫr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 1210), which he argues that non-human animals have rational souls. It found his Mulaḫḫaṣ fī l-manṭiq wa-l-ḥikma ( Epitome on Philosophy and Logic ). Following discussion of the afterlife, suggests should, like humans, be capable grasping universals, they are aware their own identity over time. Furthermore, animal behavior shows planning problem-solving. We contextualize these arguments with reference al-Dīn’s other philosophical works, also compare considerations raises ideas modern-day ethics, drawing here especially work Mark Rowlands. The concludes translation passage.