Humans, Animals, and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies PDF
Preview Humans, Animals, and Society: An Introduction to Human-Animal Studies
“Humans, Animals, and Society is a timely and welcome addition to the rapidly growing human–animal studies library. Much of the literature comprising this field is cerebral and esoteric, which limits its reach into the public's consciousness. With current examples, thoughtful analysis, and a sympathetic voice, Nik Taylor provides a reader-friendly, up-to-date overview of the rapidly evolving human–animal relationship. I highly recommend this book to any reader interested in the field, as well as to course instructors seeking an accessible, up-to-date introduction.” —Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D., Animal Studies Department Chair, Humane Society University, and author of The Exultant Ark “A timely and incisive examination of current key debates in human–animal studies. With its clear thematic structure, Humans, Animals, and Society deftly steers the reader through a range of complex questions about human– animal relations. Written in an accessible style, it is essential reading for those seeking an introduction to HAS. For those familiar with the subject area, this book is an invaluable survey of scholarly work in the field.” —Claire Molloy, Professor of Film, Television and Digital Media, Edge Hill University, UK “Nik Taylor's Humans, Animals, and Society is a much-needed, state-of-the- art overview of the emerging field of human–animal studies. Covering such diverse topics as animal assisted therapy, the moral emotions of slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians, the portrayal of animals in movies, the link between animal abuse and human violence, and the moral obligations of scholars, this is an accessible yet intellectually rigorous introduction to the study of human– animal interactions. Taylor's book will appeal to scholars and students, and anyone fascinated by the relationships between people and animals.” —Hal Herzog, Professor of Psychology at Western Carolina University, and author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat “Nik Taylor provides an accessible introduction to and critical discussion of key ideas, themes and debates within human–animal studies. By drawing on a diverse range of empirical studies she also illustrates the ambiguous, contested, and politicized nature of interspecies relations, contexts, and scholarship. This book is a valuable contribution to the growing literature on human–animal research within the social sciences.” —Rhoda Wilkie, University of Aberdeen, UK “An exciting and welcome addition to the growing human–animal studies field. Although written from a social science perspective, Humans, Animals, and Society has broad interdisciplinary coverage and appeal. The reader will benefit greatly from Taylor's own experiences as an ethnographic researcher who has examined human–animal relations interdisciplinary a variety of settings. Humans, Animals, and Society is ideally suited as a textbook for students and essential as a resource for HAS scholars.” —Clifton P. Flynn, Chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Women's Studies at the University of South Carolina Upstate, and author of Understanding Animal Abuse and Social Creatures “Thoroughly recommended. Taylor's Humans, Animals, and Society provides a wonderful introduction to human–animal studies, covering so many ways in which nonhuman animals' lives are profoundly entwined in a shared social life. From animal abuse to animal protection, from seeing some animals as family and others as food, she explores the many contradictions in our relationships with other species.” —Lynda Birke, Visiting Professor in Biological Sciences, University of Chester, UK “Humans, Animals, and Society is a welcome addition to the literature in the growing field of human–animal studies. Combining research from across the disciplines and written in accessible language, it covers the full range of topics in human–animal interaction: the human–animal bond, social institutions and animals, representing animals, working with/for animals, human and animal directed violence, and protecting animals. It also includes a chapter on critical animal studies, outlining the challenges this more radical approach poses to the study of human–animal interaction. With suggestions for further reading, this book serves as a valuable resource for established scholars as well as students encountering the field for the first time.” —Leslie Irvine, Associate Professor, University of Colorado at Boulder “Humans, Animals, and Society provides a comprehensive, eloquent, and vibrant analysis of the myriad issues and concerns at the heart of contemporary scholarship in human–animal studies. Nik Taylor succinctly describes how many of our modern-day anthropocentric interactions with nonhuman animals are derived from outdated assumptions and biases about other species. At the same time she makes excellent use of popular culture and examples from everyday life to engage readers in her sharp analysis of human–animal interactions. The author's respect for all the other animals we share this planet with is infectious, and her stance is ultimately optimistic: she advocates convincingly for the need to connect cross-disciplinary compassionate scholarship with political activism in order to effect enduring positive changes in our relationships with other species.” —Annie Potts, Associate Professor and Co-Director of the New Zealand Centre for Human–Animal Studies at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand 2013 Lantern Books 128 Second Place Brooklyn, NY 11231 www.lanternbooks.com Copyright © 2013 Nik Taylor All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of Lantern Books. Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Taylor, Nik. Humans, animals, and society : an introduction to human-animal studies / Nik Taylor. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-59056-423-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-59056424-0 (ebook) 1. Human-animal relationships. 2. Animals—Social aspects. 3. Animals and civilization. 4. Animal welfare. I. Title. QL85.T34 2013 304.2—dc23 2012046391 CONTENTS Acknlowledgments INTRODUCTION Why Animals? Animals—A Natural Category? Anthropocentrism Ecocentrism The Invisibility of Animals in Social Thought Overview Further Reading CHAPTER 1: THE HUMAN–ANIMAL BOND Animals as Family Animals and Human Health Companion Animals and Social Interaction Animal-Assisted Therapy and Animal-Assisted Intervention Animals in Prisons Humane Education Further Reading CHAPTER 2: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND ANIMALS Keeping Animals: Domestication Early Domestication A Short History of the Domestic Dog Bestiality, Heresy, and the Control of Nature The Institutionalization of Pet Keeping Pet Keeping and Social Status Eating Animals Meat Eating and Climate Change Further Reading CHAPTER 3: REPRESENTING ANIMALS The Making of Meaning Looking at Animals Animals in Film Watching Nature: “Wild” Animal Images From Image to Reality: Dangerous Animals, Moral Panics, and Stigma Further Reading CHAPTER 4: WORKING WITH/FOR ANIMALS Animals and Ethnography Animals and Human Identity Human–Animal Interaction in the Laboratory Slaughtering Animals Distancing Through Production Veterinarians Animal Shelters Further Reading CHAPTER 5: HUMAN-AND ANIMAL-DIRECTED VIOLENCE The Human–Animal Abuse “Link” Human–Animal Abuse Connections Graduation Versus Desensitization Theses Broader Animal Abuse Perspectives Criminology and Broader Human–Animal Abuse Perspectives Animals, Abuse, and Power Further Reading CHAPTER 6: PROTECTING ANIMALS What Is Animal Protection? How Do We Assess Animal Welfare? A New Social Ethic for Animals Attitudes Toward Animals Animal Rights The Birth of an Animal Rights Movement The Philosophy of Animal Rights The Influence of Darwinism The Modern Debate Christian Thought The Renaissance and Legacy of Descartes The Enlightenment and Beyond Ecofeminism and an Ethic of Care for Animals Further Reading CONCLUSION: CRITICAL ANIMAL STUDIES AND THE FUTURE OF HUMAN– ANIMAL STUDIES Posthumanism and Intersectionality Critical Animal Studies and Capitalism Moving Forward: An Animal Standpoint and Intersectionality? Critical Animal Studies and the Academy Further Reading References Index of Terms Author Index ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks to those I have done research in the area of human–animal studies with across the years. Special thanks to Tania Signal and Lindsay Hamilton who were both happy to have work we have done together make its way into this book. Thanks also to Lantern Books for taking this project on, and special mention to Wendy Lee who was helpful and patient throughout the entire editing process. As always, thanks to the furry folk who share my life and make it a better place, as well as for their continued inspiration and motivation.
Description:The list of books you might like
