Much research in recent years has explored the question of what nonhuman animals think and feel. Some research, such as the research with Koko, the gorilla who communicated with humans by means of American Sign Language, is well known (albeit controversial). Less well-known research has involved farmed animals such as pigs, cows and chickens, trying to understand their thoughts and feelings. How can we know what goes on in their minds? What are the implications of the results for their moral status and our treatment of them?
Our explorations in PHL 217: Animal Minds, Animal Lives will involve looking at relevant scientific studies and scientific views regarding the nature of both human and nonhuman animals, theories about how we can know anyone other than ourselves, diverse positions regarding the nature of rights, an exploration of the history of our attitudes toward nonhuman animals, feminist arguments that our attitudes toward nonhuman animals are connected to negative views of female humans and people of color, and more.
We will be meeting from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and working asynchronously later in the week.
The course is eligible for the women and gender studies minor and it can also be taken for honors credit. The prerequisite is one philosophy course or the permission of the instructor.
Contact Dr. Linda Paul at linda.paul@wilkes.edu for more information.