"When Elephants Weep"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, although scientists have been trained carefully to believe that animals do not experience emotions and to avoid anthropomorphism, attributing human feelings, attitudes, or thoughts, to animals, the authors of this book suggest that this position is not true. The author points out that, in one of the most convincing chapters of the books, Masson and McCarthy write about the behavior of elephants around the bones of elephants that have died, describe animals appearing to grieve after a mate or partner leaves, and depicting an elephant who cried tears when beaten for performing badly. The paper relates that the book makes a compelling case for requiring evidence, not assumptions based on beliefs of biological superiority when dealing with animals, especially when using animals for experimentation. The paper questions, however, whether humans should die because it is wrong to practice life-saving surgery on other animals first when animal experiments have saved many, many lives.

From the Paper:

"The author notes that we have put a lot of effort into demonstrating things humans can do that other animals cannot: Laugh, worship, and anticipate (p. 24). The reader notes that "use tools" used to be on that list. It can't be any longer because both chimpanzees and sea otters use tools. Chimpanzees will push a straw or small diameter stick down a to lure termites out so they can be eaten. Sea otters gather flat rocks that they lie on their stomachs. Then when they gather seafood, they beat the clams, snails or whatever against the flat stone to break them open. Reasoning, imagination and anticipation may be functions of intelligence rather than related to emotions."

More papers on "When Elephants Weep":

• Analytical Essay # 14235 : "When Elephants Weep" ( Jeffrey Masson & Susan Mccarthy )"
• Analytical Essay # 73499 : "Weep Not, Child"
• Analytical Essay # 44427 : "Hills Like White Elephants"

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