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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > Animals & society
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The Animal Book
(Paperback)
Michael Harren; Introduction by Adam Fitzgerald
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R734
R614
Discovery Miles 6 140
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While previous studies of dogs in human history have focused on how
people have changed the species through domestication, this volume
offers a rich archaeological portrait of the human-canine
connection. Contributors investigate the ways people have viewed
and valued dogs in different cultures around the world and across
the ages. Case studies from North and South America, the Arctic,
Australia, and Eurasia present evidence for dogs in roles including
pets, guards, hunters, and herders. In these chapters, faunal
analysis of gnawed and digested bones from the Ancient Near East
suggests that dogs contributed to public health by scavenging
garbage, and remains from a Roman temple indicate that dogs were
offered as sacrifices in purification rites. Essays also chronicle
the complex partnership between Aboriginal peoples and the dingo
and describe how the hunting abilities of dogs made them valuable
assets for tribes in the Amazon rainforest. The volume draws on
multidisciplinary methods that include zooarchaeological analysis;
scientific techniques such as isotopic, DNA, and chemical residue
analyses; and the integration of history, ethnography, multispecies
scholarship, and traditional cultural knowledge to provide an
in-depth account of dogs' lives. Showing that dogs have been a
critical ally for humankind through cooperation and companionship
over thousands of years, this volume broadens discussions about how
relationships between people and animals have shaped worldviews and
civilizations.
At present, human beings worldwide are using an estimated 115.3
million animals in experiments-a normalization of the unthinkable
on an immense scale. In terms of harm, pain, suffering, and death,
animal experiments constitute one of the major moral issues of our
time. Given today's deeper understanding of animal sentience, the
contributors to this volume argue that we must afford animals a
special moral consideration that precludes their use in
experiments. The Ethical Case against Animal Experiments begins
with the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics's groundbreaking and
comprehensive ethical critique of the practice of animal
experiments. A second section offers original writings that engage
with, and elaborate on, aspects of the Oxford Centre report. The
essayists explore historical, philosophical, and personal
perspectives that range from animal experiments in classical times
to the place of necessity in animal research to one researcher's
painful journey from researcher to opponent. A devastating look at
a contemporary moral crisis, The Ethical Case against Animal
Experiments melds logic and compassion to mount a powerful
challenge to human cruelty.
This moving memoir follows a journalist and filmmaker as she finds
her purpose in advocacy for the Asian elephants in her hometown of
Kerala, India. Foreword by Jane Goodall. 'I was shocked, saddened
and angered by the cruelty towards the elephants who are forced to
take part in religious ceremonies - cruelty that is described in
this extraordinary book. I was amazed and moved by the courage
shown by its author, Sangita Iyer.' Dr Jane Goodall DBE, UN
Messenger of Peace Elephants are self-aware, conscious beings. They
can forge strong bonds and grieve the loss of elephants and humans
alike. But despite all the empathy that elephants shower on humans,
we continue to inflict pain and suffering on these caring, sentient
beings. In 2013 Sangita Iyer visited her childhood home of Kerala,
India, where over 700 Asian elephants, owned by individuals and
temples, were forced to perform in crowded, noisy festivals. These
gentle creatures who people claimed to revere were chained, abused
and exploited for the entertainment of tourists and for profit.
When she found herself in the presence of these divine creatures
and witnessed their suffering first hand, Sangita felt a deep
connection to their pain. She too had been shackled and silenced by
her patriarchal upbringing and by the many 'me too' moments in her
work life that were swept under the rug. Now she speaks up for
elephants, herself and anyone who has been suppressed, inspiring
with her story of healing, perseverance and hope. Her work to save
elephants has saved her.
What is milk? Who is it for, and what work does it do? This
collection of articles bring together an exciting group of the
world's leading scholars from different disciplines to provide
commentaries on multiple facets of the production, consumption,
understanding and impact of milk on society. The book frames the
emerging global discussion around philosophical and critical
theoretical engagements with milk. In so doing, various chapters
bring into consideration an awareness of animals, an aspect which
has not yet been incorporated in these debates within these
disciplines so far. This brand new research from scholars includes
writing from an array of perspectives, including jurisprudence,
food law, history, geography, art theory, and gender studies. It
will be of use to professionals and researchers in such disciplines
as anthropology, visual culture, cultural studies, development
studies, food studies, environment studies, critical animal
studies, and gender studies.
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