“GOING TO THE DOGS”: CANID ETHOLOGY AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Author: Howell, Nancy R.

Source: Zygon, Volume 41, Number 1, March 2006 , pp. 59-70(12)

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Abstract:

Theological reflection often treats animals in the very broadest terms and establishes a dramatic difference between humans and animals. Empirical observations, however, describe animals and their relationship to humans in more nuanced ways. Marc Bekoff's science, which integrates ethology and ecology, generates a view of the complex social behaviors of animals and entails observations about difference. Dialogue with Bekoff's sensitive awareness of animal behavior is the occasion to construct a theology of nature that is better informed about diversity among animals and differences within and among species.

Keywords: animals; attention epistemology; comparison; continuity; difference; diversity; ethology; intensity; justice; panentheism; personhood; soul; speciesism; theology of nature; uniqueness; variation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2006.00726.x

Affiliations: 1: Professor of Theology and Philosophy of Religion at Saint Paul School of Theology, 5123 Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64127;, Email: howellnr@spst.edu.

Publication date: 2006-03-01