Il perturbante della zoopolis = The uncanny of zoopolis

Abstract

This essay examines the concept of Zoopolis through the lens of Kojève's idea of the end of history. Kojève imagines a post-historical human who, after negating their animal nature, returns to a passive, animal-like state. The author connects this to current debates on animal rights and proposals to grant animals urban citizenship. The fusion of zoon and polis in Zoopolis is seen as uncanny, recalling Freud and Plessner's reflections on estrangement. As cities evolve into BioCities, integrating non-human life, questions arise about the essence of urbanity, technology, and political inclusion. Ultimately, Zoopolis reveals a repressed aspect of humanity—our deep entanglement with nature—challenging human exceptionalism and urging a redefinition of coexistence.