La différence comme occasion de pertinence: la question de l'animal

The difference between man and animal is one of the major differences of our anthropology. Nevertheless, this difference has been continuously controversial. We suggest that, in the scientific practices, the question of the dramatic difference versus the total lack of it is embedded in multiple stakes. Surprisingly, one of these stakes appears to be common to both opponents. In both cases, the animal is at the core of the same will : to create a reserve of universality. At the opposite, one may notice than when practices about animals seek for the relevant differences, and do not constraint the subjects they question to be a good instance of universality, these practices show interesting transformations. These transformations are themselves articulated to some other differences : one between a feminine way of making science (versus the masculine one) ; and an other between science and politic.