Amber’s Digital Portfolio
W 2: Cronon “The Trouble with Wilderness” + Sullivan “The Meadowlands”
W 4: Bruckner “The Fanaticism of the Apocalypse: Save the Earth, Punish Human Beings”
W 5: Coates “Nature” (preface and ch. 1-5)
W 6: Coates “Nature” (ch. 6-9)
W 10: Robbins et al.“Environment & Society” (first half)
W 11: Robbins et al.“Environment & Society” (second half)
W 12: Urbanik “Placing Animals”
Reading Presentation Notes: Eating Animals
Rene Descartes view animals as automatons because they could not speak the same way as humans and concluded that animals could not reason meaning a difference existed between us and them. Michel Montaigne recognized that some animals could identify a level of “self” and suggested that animals were more like clocks. Charles Darwin’s theory placed humans and animals on the same level as a result of evolution. The human view of animals has changed numerous times so what do you think the view is today of animals? (pg 3)
- Usage of them for scientific models for human research
The author mentions that depending on where you are and your culture, can influence your behavior towards animals. Why do you think this is?
- Could be defined cultural and local practices and economic utility (Grossman)
- Any others? religion ?
- Opinion on other cultures judging others for their view of animals?
- What wave of zoography are we currently or do you think we are in a new wave?
King Solomon: “pet keeping is simply an extension of the desire to control the nonhuman world”. What are your opinions of this quote? Is this related to the way we define “wildlife/ nature” in national parks? (pg 51)
Pet: pampered and usually spoiled child; a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration :darling; a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility (Merriam Webster)
Pet: any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately; a person especially cherished or indulged; a thing particularly cherished. (Dictionary.com)
USDA Definition of a Pet https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/definition-of-a-pet
- Notice what animals are missing that are also considered pets
- Differences between eastern and western culture
- What is the limit on what a pet is? Chimps, alagators (http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/florida-woman-license-pet-alligator-rambo/story?id=44324187) ?
- Thoughts on animal rights groups such as ALF (Animal Liberation Front) and PETA (People for ethical treatment of animals)?
“Throughout the history of empires, animals have been used to demonstrate power and control over territory as well as for diplomacy and gift giving between powers”. (pg 78)
“The main purpose of these zoos was to provide a way to see and study the different species of the world. Very little attention was paid at all to the lives of the animals in captivity and most cages were bare and empty in order to better see the animals”. (pg 78)
- Clearly the standards of zoos and aquariums have changed greatly. What purpose do you believe they serve now?
- Empty the tank and cages movement; the “zoo question”: should we keep animals in captivity or not?
- Entertainment: animal fighting, racing, circus, television and film use
Animal usage for many tasks from military to draft and entertainment
- There are many arguments today that state that we should not be using animals to our own benefits? Opinions?
- Benefits they provided to us for economic and safety (Military & police dogs bred to work)
- “More than a dozen municipalities in the United States, Sweden, Singapore, Finland, India, and Austria ban or restrict wild animal performances, while districts in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and Greece ban some or all animal acts”. (pg 98)
- What about lab animals?
Farming of animals, mink, tigers, bears, etc, for the purpose of using their meat, fur and bone. Arguments say that doing this doesn’t benefit the remaining wild animals as their is no reason for the consumption of the animals and can be attributed to the declining wild populations due to it encouraging poaching. While others say by farming these animals we are protecting the remaining wild populations.
- Thoughts?
- Rhinos and trimming the horn to try and prevent poaching then selling the trimmed horn for help meet demand for rhino horn while others are banking on the extinction of them before selling their horn. The gold of the 21st century
