Claire E. Rasmussen

About the Author

Claire E. Rasmussen is a distinguished scholar and author whose work explores the intersections of political theory, animal studies, and modern subjectivity. With a keen eye for the philosophical underpinnings of autonomy and governance, she challenges conventional narratives about human-animal relations and self-determination in contemporary society. Her groundbreaking book, The Autonomous Animal: Self-Governance and the Modern Subject, delves into how Enlightenment ideals of freedom and agency extend—or fail to extend—to non-human entities, offering profound insights into ethics, power, and the natural world. Rasmussen's research draws from diverse fields including feminist theory, environmental philosophy, and posthumanism, making her a vital voice in rethinking the boundaries of the political. She teaches at a leading university, where her lectures inspire students to question the anthropocentric foundations of modern thought.