Noxia, venenosa, superflua: animali nocivi, ottimismo metafisico e giusta disobbedienza nella Expositio in Hexameron di Pietro Abelardo

This contribution analyzes the considerations on harmful animals and useless plants found in Abelard's Expositio in Hexameron. The first part gives an overview of the passages in the Book of Genesis related to the theme under study and of Augustine's commentary in De Genesi ad litteram. Augustine holds that God created these animals and plants in primordial times, and offers two explanations for their existence: they serve to teach, test and punish thè sinner, while they also form part of thè variety of creation. Unlike Augustine, Abelard maintains that such plants and animals have al-ways existed but they only became noxious following the fall of man. Having revolted against man, who had disobeyed God, they also serve as examples of just rebellion.