When I first met a band of nomadic centaurs, I danced around the topic of their horse halves. The notion that they were half man, half animal seemed preposterous, because they are fully centaurs. Well, as it turned out, they’re not so bothered by the language. As a matter of fact, centaurs are deeply interested in their dichotomous natures. Centaur philosophy is split into two schools: the Ixionites and the Cheironites. The Ixionites believe that their equine bodies dictate their place in the universe. Centaurs are, after all, really 75% horse and 25% human by mass. They have more in common with horses than men: their foals are born at what we would consider a toddler age, able to walk already, their bodies are sturdier and stronger than a comparable humans, and they have multiple stomachs able to break down tough vegetative matter (I decided not to bring up the fact horses are not ruminants in order to prevent a debate). Even their common name references this dominant philosophical position. Centaur means “bull hunter” and they exist in contrast to humanoids, who raise and herd cattle. The Cheironites see their humanoid portions as more important. Centaurs have brains, unlike horses, and opposable thumbs. This alone places them above the beasts in the field. Cheironites dedicate themselves to studying the natural world and their own place in it. Many famous heroes have been taught by centaur sophists. I personally agree with the Cheironites, but do not expect them to flourish. Most are self-imposed hermits who swear off marriage and contact with other centaurs. Ixionites make fun of them, saying that, if the Cheironites could, they would saw themselves by the waist to be more human.