Androcles’ philosophy explores the basic principles underlying veterinary medicine and animal health sciences. This cannot be explored without looking at the significance of animals in our society. Animals have many roles, from companion animals to sport animals, as laboratory animals for scientific purposes and as animals for food production. The complex relationships of animals with science, people, society, especially the economy and even ecosystems make their position precarious. As our time places high demands on the health and welfare of animals, for both their own good and that of humans, there is an urgent need to reflect on our scientific capabilities to solve and expand these challenges. Finally, the author discusses the social significance of the profession. The profession of veterinary medicine and animal science is unique in that good animal health and welfare serves a multitude of interests and values, ranging from individual animal welfare to human health, ecosystem health and a range of economic interests. To meet so many and so diverse, sometimes conflicting needs, the veterinarian has to be an equilibrist. The author argues that the profession can acquire its greatest significance by ensuring an optimal peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. This means that animals can optimally fulfil their meaning for people without their well-being or quality of life suffering. To this end, veterinary medicine must rest on a solid scientific philosophical foundation. Contents Abbreviations Preface Part A Relation to Science 1 Do we really need a philosophy of veterinary medicine? 2 What to expect of a philosophy of veterinary medicine? 3 Words give meaning 4 How do we acquire and value knowledge? 5 What is particularly important in veterinary science philosophy? 6 Cause and evidence 7 Beyond Popper: Imagination and fantasy 8 Towards a philosophy of veterinary public health and One Health 9 Veterinary medicine and social sciences 10 Does philosophy make veterinary science better? Part B Relation to Animals 11 Veterinary ethics 12 The animal-healing relationship 13 How does society deal with animals? 14 A matter of life and death 15 Yuk. Or: Moral disgust of pre-emptive culling 16 The veterinarian and animal rights 17 Does the veterinary profession have duties? 18 Modifying animals Part C Relation to Man and Society 19 The position of animals in society. Or: Are people entitled to keep animals? 20 For who and what are we doing it? Or: The purpose of the veterinary profession 21 Is the right and responsible person paying for all this? Or: Shifting costs and benefits and the tragedy of the commons 22 The revenue model of the veterinary health industry. Or: “Who protects you against your veterinarian?” 23 Social responsibility for veterinary public health and care for animals: The dilemmas of antibiotic resistance. 24 The role of veterinary medicine in shaping the future of global food systems 25 The veterinarian as advocate of animals Epilogue: interests weighed References Illustrations Index