Exploring different facets of animal ethics
For centuries, the relationship between humans and animals has shifted and changed to fit the social and political landscape. While domestication has brought certain household animals closer to humans over recent years, various questions have been brought forward discussing animal consciousness and cognitive ability. An entire branch of philosophy has blossomed from concerns regarding animal ethics – and rightfully so.
While the treatment of animals is a highly contentious and crucial component of animal ethics, a fascinating turn occurs during the study of an animal’s mental capabilities. Rather than focusing on human power relations and the blatant mistreatment of animals in the food industry, animal ethics opens up an entirely different dialogue that adds tremendous depth to study of animals in a philosophical setting.
Many readily available books and documentaries depict the cruelty and mistreatment of animals worldwide. While a discussion of the appropriate treatment of animals remains relevant, it is important to keep in mind other components of ethical thinking that can help create a clearer picture of contentious issues.
In discussing animal ethics, the focus inherently shifts to emphasizing relationship dynamics. How humans think of animals, and how they exercise power over animals, surrounds and guides the study of this particular kind of ethics. However, there are many crucial pieces of information that come from the positive relationships humans have with animals.
The positivity arising from a formative relationship with animals can be seen in the works of Barbara Smuts, a noted American anthropologist and psychologist who works closely with baboons, chimpanzees, and dolphins. In a collection of essays entitled The Lives of Animals, Smuts reflects upon her time spent living amongst baboons as equals. She recalls an interaction with a young baboon and emphasizes a unique level of intimacy shared in her experience:
“…One day, as I rested my hand on a large rock, I suddenly felt the gentlest of touches on my fingertips. Turning around slowly, I came face-to-face with one of my favorite juveniles, a slight fellow named Damien. He looked intently into my eyes, as if to make sure that I was not disturbed by his touch, and then he proceeded to use his index finger to examine, in great detail, each one of my fingernails in turn. This exploration was made especially poignant by the fact that Damien was examining my fingers with one that looked very much the same, except that his was smaller and black. After touching each nail, and without removing his finger, Damien glanced up at me for a few seconds. Each time our gaze met, I wondered if he, like I, was contemplating the implications of the realization that our fingers and fingernails were so alike.”
Damien, the young, curious baboon, demonstrated a child-like wonder when looking at Smuts’ fingers. This stunning passage sheds light onto the kinds of experiences we, as humans, can have alongside animals. It is important to recognize that human relationships with animals can shape and formulate a critical dialogue in animal ethics. In looking at the positive interactions stemming from humans and animals, a variety of new conversations can be explored in animal ethics that account for profound and intimate experiences.