Single Idea 3615

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 7. Animal Minds]

Full Idea

Animals not only have less reason than men, but they have none at all; for we see that very little of it is required in order to be able to speak.

Gist of Idea

Little reason is needed to speak, so animals have no reason at all

Source

René Descartes (A Discourse on Method [1637], §5.58)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.75