Birds of Wisdom

Abstract

Philosophical texts frequently turn to animals, and in particular to birds, when addressing wisdom. By way of engaging with bird depictions in the European and Chinese traditions, this essay pursues the question in which respects birds serve as recurring metaphors and stand-ins for wisdom. A crucial function of philosophical ornithology, it is shown, consists in a decentering and a self-limitation: the imagination of avian flight allows humans to put themselves into perspective while the imagination of a bird's-eye view subverts claims to absolute human knowledge and, at the same time, allows for honoring forms of life humans are aware of, but do not completely understand.