“GOING TO THE DOGS”: CANID ETHOLOGY AND THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION
Author: Howell, Nancy R.1
Source: Zygon, Volume 41, Number 1, March 2006 , pp. 59-70(12)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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: 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.

Click here for Page Help