Table Of Content“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:While animals have played a central part in human society over the years, when it comes to the social sciences they have largely been neglected. However, interest in Human Animal Studies (HAS) has grown exponentially in recent years, giving rise to university and college courses around the world spe
