Humanity Against Cruelty to Animals in Historical Literature, Timeline of Animal Rights History

Animal Rights History »»Father Bougeant

1737 | A Philosphical Amusement Upon the Language of Beasts

You then ask me whether I in good earnest believe that Beasts speak? Why, Madam, I very seriously am of Opinion that Beasts do speak and understand each other every whit as well and sometimes better than we do. (Father Bougeant, A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [1737])

Of the Understanding of Beasts

I see a Dog hastening to me when I call him, caress me when I stroke him, tremble and run away when I rate him, obey me when I command him, and give all the outward Signs of many different Sentiments; of Joy and Sadness, of Grief and Pain, of Fear and Desire, of Passions of Love and Hatred. I immediately conclude from thence, that a Dog has in him a Principle of Knowledge and Sentiment…and though all the Philosophers in the World should attempt to convince me [that he is mere machine], I feel myself hurried away by an inward Conviction, and by I know not what prevailing Force which persuades me to the contrary : And this Sentiment it is, which for ever will contradict the Cartesian Opinion in the Minds of Men. (Father Bougeant, A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [1737], "Of the Understanding of Beasts")

Know then that Beasts have a spiritual Soul like ours, and that this Opinion, far from contradicting the Principles of Religion, is altogether agreeable to it as well as to Reason. (Father Bougeant, A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [1737], "Of the Understanding of Beasts")

Of the Necessity of a Language Between Beasts

Cannot Instinct, some will say, supply the Want of a Language?…The Objection has something specious in it.…Why should we attribute to this unknown Instinct what may be the simple Effect of their Understanding;… and since it is really in consequence of a knowing Faculty that Man performs the same Operations, why should not the same Principle also rule in Beasts?…For my part, I am persuaded that what we believe Brutes do by an Instinct peculiar to them, they like ourselves do it in consequence of their Knowledge, and with Knowledge. (Father Bougeant, A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [1737], "Of the Necessity of a Language Between Beasts")

On the Language of Beasts

The Language of Beasts appears so limited to us only with Relation to ours…and more would be of no service to them. Were it not to be wished, that ours, at least in some respects, were less abundant.̷If Beasts should hear us converse, prate, lye, slander, and rav; would they have Reason to envy us the Use we make of Speech? They have not our Priviledges; but in recompense they have not our Failings. They speak little, but always to the purpose, and that knowingly. They always speak Truth, and never deceive, not even in point of Love. And is not this an Advantage they have over us? (Father Bougeant, A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [1737], "On the Language of Beasts")

Links to the Primary Source
document the authenticity of quotations while providing more in-depth insight into the ideologies of humanity against cruelty to animals and additional historical perspective on the continuing struggle for animal rights, animal welfare and the protection of animals.

1737 | Father Bougeant [Guillaume Hyacinthe], A Philosophical Amusement upon the Language of Beasts [First Published in Paris 1737 as Amusement philosophique sur le language des bestes] (London, 1739; Online at Animal Rights History, 2003).

Quotes briefly introduce animal rights activists, animal welfare advocates and authors; the history of animal rights, animal welfare and animal protection; and the literature of the humane movement against cruelty to animals.

These pages are part of an ongoing effort to provide free online access to historical literature on animal rights, animal welfare and humanity against cruelty to animals.