16-04-2024
Why Animals Matter: Exploring Sentience
In this week's episode, I am joined by world renowned expert on animal behaviour and animal emotions, Marc Bekoff, as we embark on a fascinating journey into the intricate tapestry of animal behaviour and cognition.
We explore the very essence of sentience, emotions, and cognitive acuity among animals, and uncover the profound implications of compassionate conservation, where every individual life holds inherent value, simply because they are alive.
From the biodiversity of sentience to the ethical dilemmas surrounding animal research, we leave no stone unturned. Hear firsthand accounts from Marc, as he shares his daily rituals of teaching, writing, and pondering the depths of animal emotions and protection.
Join us as we unravel the emotional lives of animals, from the release of captive creatures back into the wild, the moral implications of breeding animals for scientific profit, to the intricate social structures of our beloved canine companions. Delve into the mysteries of dog ancestry, the enigmatic behaviours of cats, and the art of giving animals agency.
As we debunk myths and misconceptions, we invite you to ponder: How can we deepen our understanding of animals and redefine our relationship with them? Tune in as we navigate these profound questions and contemplate what changes we can make to nurture a more compassionate coexistence between humans and the animal kingdom.
Here’s a point by point summary of the topics we delve into:
Evolution of behaviourSentience, emotions and cognitive skillsAnimal protection has to be based on what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, not what they knowCompassionate conservation - the life of every individual matters because they have inherent value, because they are aliveBiodiversity of sentienceA day in the life of Marc Bekoff - teaching at university, living a solitary live, rising early, writing, cycling, reading, research projectsDo we need more data on animal sentience?Use of animals in research, including discussion on the numbering of vs naming of animalsHuman interests vs animal interestsDoes anthropomorphism equal empathy or is it mere sentimentality?Assumptions on why humans are more important than animalsFighting for the lives of lab animals after the research on them is overThe relevance of using animal models in medical researchAlternatives to animal researchLaw vs Science in terms of defining animalsThe profits of breeding animals for researchMarc’s observations on the emotional lives of animalsThe release of captive animals back to the wildThe ability of animals to express their natural behavioursNatural behaviours of dogs and catsSide effects of dogs and cats not being able to express natural behavioursRescuing moon bears from the bear bile industryWhat does it feel like to be a dog / wolf / coyoteDog ancestry and evolutionary changeAre dogs the same as wolves Managing ‘frustrating’ dog behavioursImposing human standards on animalsGiving animals agency - the freedom to make choicesSocial structures of dogsProviding dogs and cats with opportunities to express their natural behavioursDogs DeMystified - Marc’s new book on dog behavioursCat behavioursDebunking the myth that cats aren’t social How can we get to know animals better What Marc would change about the human animal relationship
Links:
Visit Marc’s website
Read Marc’s essays on Psychology Today
Follow Marc on Twitter
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Do you have suggestions for guests or topics? Perhaps you've got questions you'd like answered on the show or you'd like to give some feedback? Complete this feedback form - Ruth would love to hear from you!
**BIG thank you to Bella Abraham for the beautiful podcast cover artwork & Michael Barry for the divine theme music**
