Animals and Nature: Cultural Myths, Cultural Realities

by Rod Preece

Overview

Western conceptions of objectivity and individuality have resulted in a readier appreciation of the worth of the animals and nature than has been recognized. This provocative book takes issue with the popular view that the Western cultural tradition, in contrast to Eastern and Aboriginal traditions, has encouraged attitudes of domination and exploitation towards nature, particularly animals. Preece argues that the Western tradition has much to commend it, and that descriptions of Aboriginal and Oriental orientations have often been misleadingly rosy, simplified and codified according to current fashionable concepts. Animals and Nature is the result of six years’ intensive study into comparative religion, literature, philosophy, anthropology, mythology and animal welfare science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780774807241
Publisher:	University of British Columbia Press
Publication date:	05/01/1999
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	(w) x (h) x 1.20(d)
Lexile:	1430L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Denigration of the West

1 Advocacy Scholarship

2 “Beastliness” and “Brutality”

3 Animals All?

4 Rationalism

5 Alienation from Nature

6 From the Great Chain of Being to the Theory of Evolution

7 Aboriginal and Oriental Harmony with Nature

8 Gaea and the Universal Spirit

Notes

Select Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

Preece (political science, Wilfrid Laurier U.) takes issue with the popular but simplistic view that the Western cultural tradition has encouraged attitudes of domination and exploitation toward the natural world, particularly animals. He contends that Western tradition has far more to commend it than is customarily recognized, and that the much-vaunted Oriental and Aboriginal orientations to animals and nature have been habitually described in a misleadingly rosy hue. He concludes that both the West and the Oriental and Aboriginal worlds have much to learn from one another. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknew.com)

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