In defense of dolphins : the new moral frontier / Thomas I. White.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

White, Thomas I.

Series:

Blackwell public philosophy.

Blackwell public philosophy

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dolphins--Philosophy.

Dolphins.

Animal welfare--Moral and ethical aspects.

Animal welfare.

Human-animal relationships--Philosophy.

Human-animal relationships.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (256 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub., 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Written by an expert philosopher, this text encourages a reassessment of the human-dolphin relationship, arguing for an end to the inhuman treatment of dolphins. Have humans been sharing the planet with other intelligent life for millions of years without realizing it? In Defense of Dolphins combines accessible science and philosophy, surveying the latest research on dolphin intelligence and social behavior, to advocate for their ethical treatment. Encourages a reassessment of the human-dolphin relationship, arguing for an end to the inhuman treatment of dolphins Written by an expert philosopher with almost twenty-years of experience studying dolphins Combines up-to-date research supporting the sophisticated cognitive and emotional capacities of dolphins with entertaining first-hand accounts Looks at the serious questions of intelligent life, ethical treatment, and moral obligation Engaging and thought-provoking Have humans been sharing the planet with other intelligent life for millions of years without realizing it? This timely and important book considers the answers and implications, and encourages humans to reconsider our treatment of the species with which we share the earth. In this thought-provoking account, White relies on his more than fifteen year journey to understand the nature of dolphins, an odyssey that took him from the classroom to the center of the ocean. With a growing body of research supporting the sophisticated cognitive and emotional capacities of dolphins, important questions concerning their ethical treatment have arisen. Rich with engaging first-hand accounts, In Defense of Dolphins combines accessible science and philosophy, surveying the latest research on dolphin intelligence and social behavior, making a strong case for improving the moral status of dolphins, and advocating an end to their inhumane treatment.

Contents:

Prologue: Why does a philosopher study dolphins?. 1. Dolphins: The Philosophical Questions. 2. The Anatomy and Physiology of Living in the Water. 3. Do Dolphins Think and Feel?. 4. Can Dolphins Solve Problems and Understand Language?. 5. Dolphin Social Intelligence. 6. What Kind of Beings are Dolphins?. 7. Ethics and Human/Dolphin Contact. Epilogue.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

9786611069469

9781281069467

1281069469

9780470694152

0470694157

9780470766521

0470766522

OCLC:

476116595