What makes human existence worth the bother? How can we free ourselves of inner conflict and live with joy? In an extract from his new book, philosopher Mark Rowlands seeks canine counsel in answer to these eternal questions
What would a book of philosophy contain if it were written by a dog? Dogs are natural philosophers, and I am convinced they can answer some important questions for us – about life, what is important in it, and how to live it. Philosophers have done their best to address these questions, with limited success. But dogs answer them effortlessly and decisively. Humans think about these questions, but dogs live them. It is in their lives we find the answers we need.
Here is a very recent philosophical lesson, being imparted as I type these words. I have just asked Shadow, a German shepherd, a question: “Do you want to come with?” This has caused him to explode into a customary expression of delight: jumping, spinning, then running to fetch his leash. He doesn’t stop there. Tossing the leash in the air, he will try to insert his head through the noose (it’s a slip leash) as it falls.
