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This essay will include a short introduction into the subject of animals in anthropology, a look at some ethnographic studies of Yaqui, Ojibwa and Mende people, and a look at Western views on humans and animals.
In a commentary by Barbara Noske “The Animal Question in Anthropology” ( 1989) she makes the point of how some social scientists are careful not to use biological essences (such as race or sex) to explain social differences, yet as soon as the subject of a new biological category (species) arises they are comfortable in defining exactly what is human and what is animal. ...
(Noske, 1989)
Anthropology is commonly known to be the social science that comparatively and holistically studies the origins and social relationships of human beings. ... One interesting area is whether or not one has to be human to be considered a person. Most things written by anthropologists evaluate the world we live in terms of human values, and the idea that sociality and culture could exist outside of the human kingdom is not something easily envisaged. The issue raised by Noske about the preconceived ideas of humans and non-humans and the exclusion of animals in a science disciplined for humans gives an introduction into this essay.
(Ingold, 2003) (Noske, 1989)
Attempting to define what is human is where the fascinating contrast of different worlds begin. When typed into “Word Web” (a dictionary) the word human comes up with three adjectives one of which is “having human form or attributes as opposed to those of animals or divine beings” and another “characteristic of humanity”. At first this would seem like adequate descriptions unless your understanding of human and non-humans lie out of typical Western thought. Biologically, human beings are a member of the sub species of the homo sapiens sapiens. As well as a biological state, humans are (as stated by the UN declaration of Human Rights) “of reason and conscience”. ... Referring to animals as having human qualities in Western societies is called anthropomorphism, in the world of science, to suggest that anything but human beings having mental states or feelings is greeted with great contempt. This essay will look at the suggestion that in some societies anthropomorphism is not the explanation of their treatment of animals, because some regard certain animals as humans. Using examples from Yaqui, Mende and Ojibwa people from the non-Western worlds, and the dog and The Bambi Syndrome from the Western world I hope to outline the issues about the differences in reality concerning humans and non-humans, persons and non-persons.
Approximate Word count = 2126
Approximate Pages = 8.5
(250 words per page double spaced)
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