---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Voltaire responded that, on the contrary…"
description: "\"“Voltaire responded that, on the contrary, vivisection showed that the dog has the same organes de sentiment that a human has. \"Answer me, you who beli..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jeffrey-moussaieff-masson-2541_animals_voltaire-responded-that-on-the-contrary_1447195.jpg"
---

#  Voltaire responded that, on the contrary, vivisection…

![“Voltaire responded that, on the contrary, vivisection showed that the dog has the same organes de sentiment that a human has. &quot;Answer me, you who believes that animals are only machines,&quot; he wrote. &quot;Has nature arranged for this animal to have all the machinery of feelings only in order for it not…” quote by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jeffrey-moussaieff-masson-2541_animals_voltaire-responded-that-on-the-contrary_1447195.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jeffrey-moussaieff-masson-2541_animals_voltaire-responded-that-on-the-contrary_1447195.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jeffrey-moussaieff-masson-2541_animals_voltaire-responded-that-on-the-contrary_1447195.jpg)

> ““Voltaire responded that, on the contrary, vivisection showed that the dog has the same organes de sentiment that a human has. "Answer me, you who believes that animals are only machines," he wrote. "Has nature arranged for this animal to have all the machinery of feelings only in order for it not to have any at all?””

[Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-moussaieff-masson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Voltaire argues that animals possess feelings similar to humans, challenging the view that they are mere machines.

**In simple terms:** Animals have emotions like humans.

Key Takeaway

Recognize animal sentience.

Themes

ethics animal rights philosophy

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- legislation
- dietary choices
- education
- activism
- research

Key Concepts

sentience moral consideration speciesism

Questions to Reflect On

- Do we treat animals ethically?
- What evidence supports animal emotions?

A Different Perspective

Human bias may limit understanding of animal experience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/)

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