DOGS IN OUR WORLD
Steven Hales: Dogs and Philosophy
In this episode of Dogs in Our World, host Adam Winston explores the intersection of philosophy and canine companionship with Dr. Steven Hales, professor of philosophy at Bloomsburg University and editor of What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Dog. Together, they unpack how dogs can illuminate timeless philosophical questions—from ethics and epistemology to metaphysics and the philosophy of mind.
Can dogs truly be our friends, or is it a different kind of bond? Do they feel guilt, or have they simply evolved behaviors that mimic human emotion? Are dog breeds real categories, or just convenient labels? Through personal stories and deep inquiry, Dr. Hales helps us rethink what it means to live alongside dogs—and what they might teach us about ourselves.
Whether you’re new to philosophy or curious about the minds of animals, this episode offers a fresh, accessible lens on how dogs help us grapple with life’s biggest questions.
Read on for key takeaways, resource links, and the full transcript.
Key Takeaways- Dogs as Philosophical Guides
Dogs can serve as entry points into complex philosophical ideas, making abstract concepts more relatable and emotionally resonant. - Philosophy in Everyday Life
Dr. Steven Hales uses everyday experiences with dogs to explore branches of philosophy like ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind. - Do Dogs Think?
Ancient and modern philosophers have debated whether dogs can reason, feel emotions, or possess a sense of self—and what that means for how we treat them. - From Automata to Continuum
The Cartesian view saw animals as automata, but modern thinkers see dogs and humans as part of a shared biological and cognitive continuum. - Guilt, Shame, and Anthropomorphism
Questions about guilt, shame, and affection in dogs challenge us to consider whether we’re anthropomorphizing or recognizing genuine emotional behavior. - Philosophy in the Mundane
Personal stories, like Dr. Hales’ dog Sophie sneaking onto the bed, illustrate how philosophical inquiry can emerge from everyday moments with pets.
- What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Dog — Edited by Dr. Steven Hales
- Bloomsburg University Philosophy Department — https://www.bloomu.edu/academics/colleges/liberal-arts/philosophy
- Dogs in Our World Podcast Feed — https://dogsinourworld.com/feed/podcast/
- Contact Us — https://dogsinourworld.com/contact
S1 E03: Dogs and Philosophy
Adam: Dogs help me grasp difficult subjects. They also give me the confidence that I need to conquer challenges. The only way I have been able to confidently approach the world of philosophy, and maybe understand some of it, is by looking to domestic dogs as examples.
Adam: Since this show is about meeting experts and getting answers from the source, I searched the Internet for someone who could teach us about dogs and philosophy. With the help of my old philosophy professor in Philadelphia, I found this guy …
Adam: Dr. Steven Hales is a professor of philosophy at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He edited a collection called What Philosophy Can Tell You About Your Dog, published by Open Court.
Adam: Dr. Hales believes philosophy has something to say about many areas people are interested in, even if they don’t realize it. Whether it’s dogs, cats, or drinking beer, philosophy can illuminate aspects of everyday life and bring ideas out of the ivory tower.
Adam: With Dr. Hales’ help, we’re bringing a bit of Philosophy 101 to the world of dogs. If you’ve never taken a philosophy class or want to revisit the subject with a fresh approach, let’s see how dogs can help teach us something new.
Adam: Our experiences with dogs as pets and companions offer an avenue to reflect on philosophical issues. For example, can dogs genuinely be our friends, or is it a different kind of relationship? Do we have special obligations to our own dogs that we don’t have to others? Do dogs truly feel affection, or have they evolved to imitate behaviors that help them live well with humans?
Adam: Dr. Hales made me think a lot about dogs and philosophy. It’s been difficult to share everything he taught me in just one episode. As usual, I like to start at the beginning.
Adam: When many people think about philosophy, they think of classic philosophers like Plato and Confucius. I asked Dr. Hales if any of those early thinkers ever mentioned dogs.
Steven: There was some ancient discussion about whether dogs could reason logically. Not so much about dog minds or ethics, but whether they could use logical reasoning. For example, if a dog is chasing a rabbit and the trail splits, does the dog reason that the rabbit isn’t down one path and therefore must be down the other?
Adam: Rene Descartes, a 17th-century French scientist, mathematician, and philosopher, is often referred to as the father of Western philosophy. He viewed animals as automata—automatic beings like machines. This view, known as the Cartesian view, has influenced how animals are treated industrially today.
Adam: Philosophers have long wondered what separates living things from non-living things. In Descartes’ time, mechanical devices could mimic living functions, raising questions about how to understand non-human animals. Do dogs have minds like us, or are they biological machines without mentality?
Adam: Descartes believed animals were like clocks. But modern philosophers, especially post-Darwin, see humans, dogs, and other animals as part of a continuum rather than fundamentally distinct kinds.
Adam: In ancient times, animals were often seen as workers or prey. Egyptians tied animals into worship, like Bastet the cat or Anubis the jackal-headed god. But modern philosophers think differently about relationships with non-human animals.
Adam: Dr. Hales also introduced us to several branches of philosophy that can be used to examine dogs:
- Ethics: What are our relationships with dogs? What obligations do we have toward them? Do dogs have rights or duties toward us?
- Philosophy of Mind: How should we understand dog mentality? Do they feel emotions? Do they recognize us as having minds?
- Epistemology: The theory of knowledge. Do dogs know things in the same way we do? For example, a dog may know the bin contains her food, but does she understand the proposition that the bin contains food?
- Metaphysics: The fundamental nature of reality. Are dog breeds real categories or convenient labels? Is a Labradoodle a distinct kind or just a mix?
Adam: We also explored whether dogs have a sense of self. Do they recognize their own identity or see themselves as part of a pack? Can they reflect on their own thoughts?
Adam: This ties into questions about guilt and shame. Do dogs feel guilty, or have they learned to show behaviors we interpret as guilt? Are we anthropomorphizing—attributing human traits to dogs?
Adam: Dr. Hales shared personal examples, like his dog Sophie sneaking onto the bed. Was she being naughty, or just playing a game? Can we blame dogs for their actions, or are they simply acting within their understanding?
Adam: These philosophical questions don’t have easy answers, but they help us think more deeply about our relationships with dogs.
Adam: Coming up, we’ll explore more practical ideas and personal examples to reflect on when looking at dogs.
Part 2: Dogs, Emotions, and the Ethics of CareAdam: Welcome back. In this part of the episode, we’re diving deeper into how dogs experience emotions and what that means for how we treat them.
Adam: Dr. Hales, do you think dogs feel love the same way humans do?
Steven: That’s a tough one. Dogs certainly show affection, but whether it’s the same as human love is debatable. They may not have the same conceptual framework, but they do form strong emotional bonds.
Adam: I’ve seen dogs grieve when their owners pass away. That seems like a deep emotional response.
Steven: Absolutely. There are documented cases of dogs mourning. But again, we have to be careful not to project human emotions onto them.
Adam: So how do we ethically respond to those emotions? If dogs feel grief or love, does that mean we owe them more than just food and shelter?
Steven: That’s where the ethics of care comes in. It’s a philosophical approach that emphasizes relationships and emotional responsiveness. If we accept that dogs have emotional lives, then our moral obligations expand.
Adam: That makes sense. It’s not just about keeping them alive—it’s about helping them thrive.
Steven: Exactly. And that includes respecting their preferences, giving them agency, and recognizing their individuality.
Adam: I love that. It’s a shift from ownership to partnership.
Steven: Well said.
Adam: We’ll continue this conversation in Part 3, where we explore how dogs help us reflect on our own humanity.
Part 3: Dogs as Mirrors of HumanityAdam: Welcome back to the final part of this episode. We’ve talked about how dogs help us understand philosophy and ethics. Now, let’s turn the lens around—how do dogs help us understand ourselves?
Adam: Dr. Hales, do you think dogs reflect human nature in some way?
Steven: Absolutely. Dogs are deeply social creatures, and their behavior often mirrors our own. They respond to kindness, fear, routine, and even social hierarchies.
Adam: I’ve noticed that when I’m anxious, my dog seems anxious too. It’s like they pick up on our emotional states.
Steven: That’s a great observation. Dogs are incredibly attuned to human emotions. They’ve evolved alongside us, and that co-evolution has shaped their ability to read and respond to our cues.
Adam: So in a way, they’re emotional mirrors.
Steven: Exactly. And that reflection can be powerful. It forces us to confront our own behaviors, moods, and even moral choices.
Adam: That’s profound. It’s like dogs help us become better people just by being present.
Steven: Yes, and that’s why the relationship is so special. It’s not just companionship—it’s a kind of moral and emotional feedback loop.
Adam: I’ve learned patience, empathy, and even forgiveness from my dog.
Steven: And those are deeply philosophical virtues. Dogs don’t just teach us about themselves—they teach us about ourselves.
Adam: That’s a beautiful way to end this episode. Thank you, Dr. Hales, for helping us explore the philosophical dimensions of our relationships with dogs.
Steven: My pleasure. It’s been a joy.
Adam: Until next time, keep reflecting, keep learning, and give your dog a little extra love today.
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