Animal philanthropia in the Convivium Septem Sapientium

Abstract

The Convivium Septem Sapientium contains a series of references to human-animal relationships which, when read in the order of their appearance, move from a position in which animals are seen as subservient to humans to one in which animals are presumed to be capable of morallysignificant behavior, illustrated in the rescue of the singer Arion by dolphins. Plutarch’s references to animals in the dialogue closely mirror his pronouncements on animal intellect and behavior in his animal-related treatises. Viewed in the light of the civilized and elevated debates that constitute the subject manner of the Convivium, the references to animals potentially capable of rational and ethical behavior add a thought-provoking parallel narrative to the dialogue.