ANIMAL AND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
As we discuss materials concerning animals, please remember that our class is approaching the subject of Ethics from the standpoint of "Who am I becoming?" In other words, it isn't a matter of coming up with the perfect solution to save the world. Rather, it is about how we are changed by the things we think, say, and do.
BASIC READINGS
The basic readings are from a book by Kathy Rudy called Loving Animals. (Click on the bolded-blue text below to download PDF files.)
The Introduction outlines Rudy's novel approach - in relation to animals, not a new principle for animal advocacy, but a new way of living based on the revolutionary power of love!
Chapter One provides insight to the gaps and inherent contradictions that result from approaches such as "animal rights," "animal welfare," "utilitarianism," and "animals studies." Rudy's approach to animal advocacy, loving animals, is for our own benefit, "because their radical otherness contextualizes our lives."
Here is an extended article from the New York Times about the practice of using drugs to enhance the performance of race horses.
VIDEO CLIPS & AUDIO FILES - ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS
These are a few of my favorites.
A Starling Murmuration
The Story of a Whale - Did She Say Thank You?
When you open this link, click on the red link "Listen to our Animal Minds episode here" in the upper left-hand of screen. There is also a video clip story a little way down the original page that opens about another humpback whale rescue.
Fairness among monkeys - landmark research by Frans de Waal.
FURTHER READINGS INTO MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Two excerpts from Julia Whittey's book, The Fragile Edge, describe some animal practices and capabilities that we don't yet understand.
Whale Songs
Flock Dynamics and Fish Schools Scattering
As background, here is a link to research on whale songs.
Did you ever wonder whether bees practice democracy? Read this article about how bees decide where to build their next hive.
QUESTIONS
Click here to read some questions that Kathy Rudy's approach raises. Our class discussion on Sunday will build on these!
As we discuss materials concerning animals, please remember that our class is approaching the subject of Ethics from the standpoint of "Who am I becoming?" In other words, it isn't a matter of coming up with the perfect solution to save the world. Rather, it is about how we are changed by the things we think, say, and do.
BASIC READINGS
The basic readings are from a book by Kathy Rudy called Loving Animals. (Click on the bolded-blue text below to download PDF files.)
The Introduction outlines Rudy's novel approach - in relation to animals, not a new principle for animal advocacy, but a new way of living based on the revolutionary power of love!
Chapter One provides insight to the gaps and inherent contradictions that result from approaches such as "animal rights," "animal welfare," "utilitarianism," and "animals studies." Rudy's approach to animal advocacy, loving animals, is for our own benefit, "because their radical otherness contextualizes our lives."
Here is an extended article from the New York Times about the practice of using drugs to enhance the performance of race horses.
VIDEO CLIPS & AUDIO FILES - ENCOUNTERS WITH ANIMALS
These are a few of my favorites.
A Starling Murmuration
The Story of a Whale - Did She Say Thank You?
When you open this link, click on the red link "Listen to our Animal Minds episode here" in the upper left-hand of screen. There is also a video clip story a little way down the original page that opens about another humpback whale rescue.
Fairness among monkeys - landmark research by Frans de Waal.
FURTHER READINGS INTO MYSTERIOUS ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Two excerpts from Julia Whittey's book, The Fragile Edge, describe some animal practices and capabilities that we don't yet understand.
Whale Songs
Flock Dynamics and Fish Schools Scattering
As background, here is a link to research on whale songs.
Did you ever wonder whether bees practice democracy? Read this article about how bees decide where to build their next hive.
QUESTIONS
Click here to read some questions that Kathy Rudy's approach raises. Our class discussion on Sunday will build on these!