WHO AND WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANIMALS?

This work aims to analyze the Hans Jonas' reflection on the ontological status of the animal that is inserted, in this context, in a more general analysis of the phenomenon of life and presents itself as an important topic in the ontology that intends to combat dualism and the rupture between human animals and non-human animals. By recognizing different degrees of a spiritual activity among living beings, the author, however, does not share the idea of a full equality among animals, although his perspective is of common traits that accentuate the transanimality of man, that is, its belonging and, at the same time, its difference in relation to the beasts. Therefore, his philosophy is not limited to the discourse on animal rights, but rather intends to think of a new animal ontology and a new human animality through the psychophysical integrity and the constitutive relationship between human and non-human animals within the field of nature.