Humanities

Well, to start off, going into this DB I had no real idea of what animal humanities, let alone regular humanities were. However, thanks to a few quick key strokes and click of the mouse, I now know that the humanities are concerned with an education in the human condition, via subjects like language, literature, history, philosophy, and religion.

A HELPFUL CHART FOR UNDERSTANDING WHAT "HUMANITIES" ENCOMPASSES. AS A SIDE NOTE, IT RESEMBLES THE PLAN 2 CURRICULUM. 

So, by way of a simple word switch-a-roo, animal humanities must relate to the animal condition, and, to be honest, the present animal condition is not doing so hot.

            As we all have learned this school year, many animals (and nearly all that humans interact with) are locked up, domesticated, seen as entertainment, or slaughtered.

EVEN MANS BEST FRIENDS SUFFER.

Yet, people continue to consume meat at a very fast pace. Even in the far East, whose religions are much more environmentally conscience, there is meat consumption. This apparent disregard for other forms of life stems from various causes.

            One of these causes is religion and spirituality. “The emphasis in Judaism and Christianity on the transcendence of god above nature and the dominion of humans over nature has led to a devaluing of the natural world and a subsequent destruction of its resources for utilitarian ends."[1] Those influenced by the western religions aren’t really taught that animals should always be treated humanely. There are numerous occasions in the Bible where an animal is slaughtered or sacrificed.

THIS PICTURE DEPICTS THE BIBLICAL TALE OF THE JEWS APPLYING SHEEPS BLOOD ON THEIR DOOR DURING PASSOVER SO THAT THE ANGEL OF DEATH DID NOT MAKE A VISIT.

I guess the thought is that we were created in God’s image, so we must be the superior species, we must be the powerful ones, and thus these animals must be here for our own benefit. However, what gets lost in today’s society is that, while something may not be in God’s image, it is still a fruit of his labor, and consequently deserves to be treated respectfully. This leads to a loss of “responsibility of the higher for the lower.”[2] Janists have not forgotten this idea though. In fact, they are the exact opposite of the meat consuming world. They “[abstain] from causing suffering to any living thing, on the one hand, and…[render] service to others for eradicating their suffering, on the other hand.”[3] Another reason that humans claim to be the dominant species is our higher intelligence. Yet, interestingly enough, “a full grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as a more conversational animal than an infant of a day or a week or even a month old.”[4] In fact, a new scientific study (which I found out from yahoo.com) has discovered that a humanly nursed chimp is actually more mentally developed than a human infant of the same age. And, of course, our superior intellect is no reason to eat a baby, so it can’t really be used to defend meat consumption.

            Another reason for the overwhelming obsession with meat is the fact that the majority of people don’t see how it is created. While our affinity for meat started thousands of years ago—“to the ancients it was very obviously something that contains blood, and blood very early on had a powerful mystical significance”[5]—it is currently a liking that has turned into twisted obsession. The truth of the matter is that if everyone had to kill their own animals that they raised and fed and bonded with, or simply witnessed someone else doing it, even if they “would kill [them] in a way that won’t hurt…do it carefully”[6], they would most likely happen upon the same revelation as Rick in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Rick realizes that he can’t kill the android Rachael, especially since they have gotten close.

WHILE ANIMALS WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE TREATED AS EQUALS, THEY SHOULD WITHOUT A DOUBT BE GIVEN BETTER TREATMENT.

Now that he views a single android as an equal, “[he] won’t be able to retire any more androids,”[7] for, in his mind, that would be the same as killing a human being.

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[1] Lawrence Sullivan, “Janism and Ecology,” X94

[2] Lawrence Sullivan, “Janism and Ecology,” X96

[3] Lawrence Sullivan, “Janism and Ecology,” X97

[4] Greg Garrard, “Ecocriticism” X98

[5] “Heretic’s Feast,” X110

[6] Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 200

[7] Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, 201

PHOTOS:

1. HUMANITIES GRAPH

http://www.lib.purdue.edu/hsse/facultyandstaff/bibliographers/tutorials/philosophy/philosophy_humanities.jpg

2. DOG IN CAGE http://www.lakotasong.com/peppy/peppytitle.jpg

3. BLOOD ON DOOR http://www.ordination.org/MCAC%20Backup/passover9.jpg

4. PROTESTER http://media.canada.com/idl/cahr/20060717/168663-64491.jpg