Minding Animals is concerned not only with the study
of animal behaviour, but also with the innumerable ways
in which humans interact with and intrude into the lives
of our animal kin. The phrase ''minding animals'' is
used in two ways. First, ''minding animals'' refers to
caring for other animal beings, respecting them for who
they are, appreciating their own world views, and
wondering what and how they are feeling and why. The
second meaning refers to the fact that many animals have
very active and thoughtful minds. Throughout, the
animals' point of view is stressed, based on the
author's more than three decades of experience with a
variety of animals. Minding Animals is a broad
comparative, evolutionary, and ecological work that does
not centre on nonhuman primates of one specific group of
animals. After introducing himself in the field of
ethology, the biological study of animal behaviour,
Bekoff discusses behaviour patterns such as predatory
behaviour, grooming and gossip, what animals know about
what others know, self-medication, dreaming, sperm wars,
and mate choice. The also discusses animal intelligence,
emotions, and the evolution of social morality.The final
chapters deal with the nature of human interactions with
animals - how we use them for education, research,
clothing, and food, and how we ''redecorate'' nature by
moving animals from one place to another. Bekoff argues
that we need more socially responsible and compassionate
science to make progress solving the problems that we
have created. He concludes that love is the answer and
that we must connect with and love other animals, other
humans, and all environments if we are to continue to
live in harmony on this wondrous and interconnected
planet. |
|