Differences between humans and nonhumans
The
Edge
annual question for 2006 is
What Is Your Dangerous Idea? and 119
scientists and science-minded thinkers responded
with thoughtful essays.
One that particularly interests me is
The differences between humans and nonhumans are quantitative,
not qualitative" by
Irene Pepperberg,
because although I agree with her assertion
I disagree with her conclusions:
-
... if we believe in a continuum, then we must at least question
our right to perform experiments on our fellow creatures
-
... if we believe in a continuum, we must at least question
our right to use fellow creatures for our sustenance
-
... if we do not accept a clear "them" versus "us", we need to
rethink other aspects of our lives. Do we have the right to clear-cut
forests in which our fellow creatures live? To pollute the air, soil
and water that we share with them, solely for our own benefit?
All species use their environment for their own "selfish" purposes.
What is more natural then one animal killing another animal?
Recent research has shown that they do not always do it just
for survival, but even it they did, how is what humans do to
other animals
qualitatively different?
A good insect manifestation can destroy a forest as well as us humans.
Posted by mjm at
02:23 PM
|
Comments (0)