Synopses & Reviews
NEWS RELEASE 1 November 2011 TOP HONOUR FOR INTERNATIONAL ANIMAL PIONEER Oxford animal theologian Professor Andrew Linzey has been awarded a top university honour for his pioneering work around the world. The University of Winchester is to recognise Professor Linzey with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his work in animal theology in a graduation ceremony on 9 November. Professor Linzey, who is Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, said: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of my colleagues at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, who are in the forefront of pioneering this subject internationally.” Animal ethics is now an emerging discipline with scores of university courses world-wide, and this is a tremendous boost to those working in this field.” Animal ethics explores the challenges that new thinking poses, both conceptually and practically, to traditional understandings of human-animal relations.” Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor commented: At Winchester we value and celebrate those who champion the voiceless and challenge the dominant paradigms. We shall honour one of the animals most thoughtful and passionate champions, someone who I believe will be remembered as one of the most pioneering and influential theologians of his day.” Professor Linzey was made an Honorary Professor of the University of Winchester in 2007, and in the same year his book Creatures of the Same God was the first to be published by Winchester University Press. He is also co-editor of the Journal of Animal Ethics published by the University of Illinois Press. Winchester has one of the most progressive departments of theology in the country, and I am delighted to be associated with it,” said Professor Linzey. The RSPCA gave one of its highest awards, the Lord Erskine Award, to Oxford theologian, the Reverend Professor Andrew Linzey at a special ceremony held at the RSPCA Headquarters in Horsham on 11 September 2010. Professor Andrew Linzey is one of the worlds leading ethicists on the status of animals and the pre-eminent theologian on animal issues. He is the founder and the Director of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics (www.oxfordanimalethics.com) and a member of the Faculty of Theology in the University of Oxford. This is the first time that the award has been given to a theologian. On hearing of the award, Professor Linzey said: This is a tremendous affirmation of the work we have been doing at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. I am happy to accept this award on behalf of all the fellows of the Centre who are pioneering ethical perspectives on animals.” Professor Linzey has written or edited more than 20 books including seminal works on animals: Animal Theology (1994), Animal Gospel (1999), Creatures of the Same God (2004), and The Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence (2009). His latest book, Why Animal Suffering Matters published by Oxford University Press in 2009 has been described as a paradigmatic example of how practical ethics ought to be done”. (Christopher Libby, Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 4.1. 2010). Andrew Linzey is also Honorary Professor at the University of Winchester, and Special Professor at Saint Xavier University, Chicago. In addition, he is the first Henry Bergh Professor of Animal Ethics at the Graduate Theological Foundation, Indiana. The post is named after Henry Bergh, the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and pioneer in animal protection. The RSPCAs award is named after Lord Erskine (17501823) who pioneered the first anti-cruelty legislation in the United Kingdom. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (as it then was) was founded a year after his death in 1824. Many philosophers, including Aquinas, Locke, Schopenhauer and Kant, have assumed that there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence to people. During the l
Synopsis
Noting that many philosophers, including Thomas Aquinas, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant, have assumed that there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence to people, this work brings together international experts from seven countries to examine, in detail the relationships between animal abuse and child abuse, the emotional development of the child, family violence, and serial murder. Considering the implications for legal and social policy and the work of key professionals, this book also includes the critical overviews of existing research, a discussion of ethical issues, and a special focus on the abuse of wild animals. This book is essential reading for all those who have a stake in the debate, either because their academic work relates to the issues involved or because their professional role involves contact with the abused or the abusers, both human and animal. It is an authoritative and comprehensive volume on the link between animal abuse and human violence.
Synopsis
Many philosophers, including Aquinas, Locke, Schopenhauer, and Kant, have assumed that there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence to people. During the last 40 years, evidence for this view has steadily accumulated as a result of statistical, psychological, and medical investigations, and there is now a substantial body of supporting empirical evidence. The Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence, now in paperback, brings together international experts from seven countries, to examine in detail: the relationships between animal abuse and child abuse, the emotional development of the child, family violence, and serial murder. It considers the implications for legal and social policy, and the work of key professionals. Sections include critical overviews of existing research, discussion of ethical issues, and a special focus on the abuse of wild animals. This book is essential reading for all those who have a stake in the debate, either because their academic work relates to the issues involved or because their professional role involves contact with the abused or the abusers, both human and animal. It is an authoritative and comprehensive volume on the link between animal abuse and human violence.
About the Author
Andrew Linzey is an Anglican priest and a major figure in the Christian vegetarian movement. He is the author of several books, including Animal Rights: A Christian Perspective and Creatures of the Same God: Explorations in Animal Theology. He was awarded the Peaceable Kingdom Medal and a Doctor of Divinity for his work in the field of animals and theology.