Name: In the Company of Animals By James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)
SKU: 9780521577793
Price: 10.00 USD
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In the Company of Animals Summary

In the Company of Animals: A Study of Human-Animal Relationships by James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

What purpose, if any, do pets really serve? Are they simply an outlet for misplaced love? Or four-legged friends who help us to satisfy vital emotional needs? Whatever they are, when we elevate pets to the status of social companions, we undermine the distinction between human and non-human. In other words, pets force us to confront the moral contradictions inherent in our treatment of animals in general. Pursuing this idea to its logical conclusion, the author uncovers a fascinating and disturbing trail of myths, evasions and double standards which humans have used since earliest times to justify their subjugation of nature and other life forms. Through an exploration of the phenomenon of pet-keeping across history and between cultures, this thought-provoking study reassesses our relationships with animals and the natural world. This new edition of In the Company of Animals has been substantially revised and updated to take into account developments in research since the first edition was published in 1986.

In the Company of Animals Reviews

'Arguing by copious example in a thoroughly well-researched and well-written book, Serpell demonstrates that pet-keeping appeals both to a wide variety of cultures throughout the world, and to all social classes within Western society.' Stephen Jay Gould, The New York Review of Books
'In the Company of Animals is a work of cross-cultural panache. Serpell writes passionately and well about a subject that seems to have fallen between the cracks of specialisations. His overview is sweeping and provocative.' R. Z. Sheppard, Time Magazine
'... why did James Serpell feel the need to write a book in defence of pet-keeping? Surely this is one aspect of human behaviour that requires no advocacy. But read on. Indeed, read his book, for it is full of fascinating comments on a subject that many of us have taken for granted.' Desmond Morris, BBC Wildlife

About James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

James Serpell is the Marie A. Moore Professor of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, where he also directs the Center for the Interaction of Animals & Society. He received his bachelor's degree in Zoology from University College London (UK) in 1974, and his PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of Liverpool (UK) in 1980. He moved to his current position at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Dr. Serpell is the current President of the International Society for Anthrozoology (ISAZ). He serves on the editorial boards of most of the major journals on animal welfare, applied animal behavior, and human-animal interactions. His research focuses on the behavior and welfare of companion animals, the development of human attitudes to animals, and the history of human-animal relationships. In addition to publishing more than 70 journal articles and book chapters on these and related topics, he is the author, editor, or co-editor of several books including Animals & Human Society: Changing Perspectives (1994), The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behavior & Interactions with People (1995), In the Company of Animals (1996), and Companion Animals & Us (2000).

Part I. A Paradox: 1. Of pigs and pets; Part II. The Case Against Pets: 2. Substitutes for people; 3. Instruments of follie; 4. Pets in tribal societies; 5. A cuckoo in the nest; Part III. An Alternative View: 6. Pets as panacea; 7. Health and friendship; 8. Four-legged friends; Part IV. Exploitation and Sympathy: A Conflict of Interests: 9. The myth of human supremacy; 10. Killer with a conscience; 11. Licensed to kill; 12. The fall from grace.

Additional information

Sku

GOR001513109

ISBN 13

9780521577793

ISBN 10

0521577799

Title

In the Company of Animals: A Study of Human-Animal Relationships by James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

Author

James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

Series

Canto original series

Condition

Used - Very Good

Binding type

Paperback

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Year published

1996-08-13

Number of pages

316

Prizes

N/A

Cover note

Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.

Note

This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

In the Company of Animals James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

In the Company of Animals by James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

Summary

In the Company of Animals Summary

In the Company of Animals: A Study of Human-Animal Relationships by James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

In the Company of Animals Reviews

About James Serpell (Professor of Humane Ethics & Animal Welfare, University of Pennsylvania)

Table of Contents

Additional information

Customer Reviews - In the Company of Animals