Sacred, Symbolic, and Contested : Critical Perspectives on Human-Animal Relations in Culture and Society / Gregory S. Szarycz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Szarycz, Gregory S., author.

Series:

Human-Animal Studies ; 31.

Social Sciences E-Books Online, Collection 2026.

Human-Animal Studies ; 31

Social Sciences E-Books Online, Collection 2026

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Animals and civilization.

Human-animal relationships--Moral and ethical aspects.

Human-animal relationships.

Human-animal relationships--Religious aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (323 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Critical Perspectives on Human-Animal Relations in Culture and Society

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2026.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Sacred, Symbolic, and Contested explores how animals are revered, represented, and disputed across global cultures. Through vivid case studies—from sacred cows in India to ritual slaughter in Judaism and animal commodification in industrial societies—this book reveals how human-animal relationships express deep ethical, religious, and political tensions. You’ll encounter surprising contradictions: animals celebrated in myth yet mistreated in practice or protected in law yet consumed in daily life. Drawing on sociology, religious studies, and critical animal studies, this timely work invites you to rethink the role of animals in shaping human identity, culture, and moral responsibility.

Contents:

Front Matter

Preliminary Material / Gregory S. Szarycz

Part 1 Sacred

Introduction to Part 1 / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 1 Sacred Souls, Cursed Beings: Unveiling the Treatment of Animals across World Religions / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 2 Traditional Folk Beliefs and the Role of Animals in Polish Rural Rites / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 3 From Tradition to Modernity: the Evolution of Ritual Slaughter in Islamic Culture / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 4 Of Gods and Gills: a Historical Exploration of Fish in Culture / Gregory S. Szarycz

Part 2 Symbolic

Introduction to Part 2 / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 5 Between Rationalism and Sentimentalism: Philosophical Considerations regarding Ethical Norms concerning Animals / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 6 From Companions to Companionship: Navigating Human-Animal Interactions and the Rise of Animaltronics in Japan / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 7 Horse and Human: a Partnership through the Ages / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 8 The Snake in the Tradition of Cultures and Religions: an Outline of Selected Issues / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 9 Animal Insults: Why Do We Refer to Animals When Insulting Someone? / Gregory S. Szarycz

Part 3 Contested

Introduction to Part 3 / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 10 The Era of Defaunation: Civilization at War with Animals / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 11 Paws and Hooves in the Polar Snow: Careless Compassion in Extreme Environments? / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 12 Animals in Sport and Entertainment: a Cultural Lens on Controversial Encounters / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 13 The Plea for Life: Animal Mercy Rights Examined through the Corrida de Toros / Gregory S. Szarycz

Chapter 14 Animal Welfare in China: Exploring Philosophical Foundations and Legal Frameworks / Gregory S. Szarycz

Conclusion / Gregory S. Szarycz

Back Matter

Bibliography / Gregory S. Szarycz.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-74393-6

OCLC:

1535401586

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004743939 DOI