Synopses & Reviews
How well do we really know dogs?and#160; People may enjoy thinking about them as andldquo;manandrsquo;s best friend,andrdquo; but what actually drives the things they do? What is going on in their fur-covered heads as they look at us with their big, expressive eyes?and#160; Raymond Coppinger and Mark Feinstein know something about these questions, and with
How Dogs Work, theyandrsquo;re ready to share; this is their guide to understanding your dog and its behavior.
and#160;
Approaching dogs as a biological species rather than just as pets, Coppinger and Feinstein accessibly synthesize decades of research and field experiments to explain the evolutionary foundations underlying dog behaviors. They examine the central importance of the shape of dogs:and#160; how their physical body (including the genes and the brain) affects behavior, how shape interacts with the environment as animals grow, and how all of this has developed over time. Shape, they tell us, is what makes a champion sled dog or a Border collie that can successfully herd sheep. Other chapters in How Dogs Work explore such mysteries as why dogs play; whether dogs have minds, and if so what kinds of things they might know; why dogs bark; how dogs feed and forage; and the influence of the early relationship between mother and pup. Going far beyond the cozy lap dog, Coppinger and Feinstein are equally fascinated by what we can learn from the adaptations of dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, and even pumas in the wild, as well as the behavior of working animals like guarding and herding dogs.
and#160;
We cherish dogs as family members and deeply value our lengthy companionship with them. But, isnandrsquo;t it time we knew more about who Fido and Trixie really are? How Dogs Work will provide some keys to unlocking the origins of many of our dogsand#39; most common, most puzzling, and most endearing behaviors.
Review
and#8220;Over the last generation animals have increasingly come to be seen as objects of moral concern rather than mere things that can be used for our purposes.and#160; Building on the work of other scientists and philosophers, Bekoff and Pierce challenge us to go further and to see animals, not just as creatures who can be treated unjustly, but as themselves dispensers of and#8216;wild justice.and#8217; Not everyone will agree, but their provocative challenge must be addressed.and#8221;
Review
"In a time when biological determinism, competition, and `red tooth and claw' views of animal and human behavior are so prevalent in both scientific and popular literature, Bekoff and Pierce offer a breath of fresh air. They provide ample evidence and a rational theory for the evolution and existence of cooperation, justice, empathy, and morality in social-living animals. This collaboration of a biologist and a philosopher has done a great service to the current understanding and future direction of the study of animal behavior." Robert W. Sussman, coeditor of The Origins and Nature of Sociality
Review
"Wild Justice represents multi-disciplinary scholarship at its finest. All future collaborations between ethologists and philosophers will be measured against the high standard set by Bekoff and Pierce." Tom Regan, author of Empty Cages
Review
"Cognitive ethologist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce explore the moral lives of such commonly studied animals as primates, wolves, household rodents, elephants, dolphins — and a few more uncommon critters as well....The authors contend that, in order to understand the moral compass by which animals live, we must first expand our definition of morality to include moral behavior unique to each species. Studies done by the authors, as well as experts in the fields of psychology, human social intelligent, zoology, and other branches of relevant science excellently bolster their claim." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Humans think of themselves as the only moral animals. But what about the elephant who sets a group of captive antelope free, the rat who refuses to shock another to earn a reward, and the magpie who grieves for her young? Cognitive animal behaviorist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce argue that nonhuman animals also are moral beingsand#8212;with not just building blocks or precursors of morality but the real deal. The research gathered here makes a compelling case that it is time to reconsider yet another of the traits we have claimed as uniquely our own."
Review
"As dense with information as this book is, it remains readable by nonscientists, and its philosophical implications reach far beyond scientific confines."
Review
and#8220;As a child I learned that behaving fairly, during play with others, was a very important social rule. As a mother, I learned that treating my child fairly was key in building his trust and cooperation. And we find that fairness plays an important role in the social interactions of many different animals and is key in developing and maintaining friendships. Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce's ideas about the moral lives of animals stress the significance of fairness, cooperation, empathy, and justice, aspects of behavior desperately needed in the world today. Read this book, share it widely, and incorporate its lessons into your classroom, family room or board room."
Review
"Focusing here on the gentler side of animal natures, animal behaviorist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce discuss recent scientific studies documenting that great apes, monkeys, wolves, coyotes, hyenas, dolphins, whales, elephants, rats, and mice are capable of a wide range of moral behavior. They strongly urge the scientific and philosophical communities to recognize that these animals can act as moral agents within the context of their own social groups. This provocative and well-argued view of animal morality may surprise some readers as it challenges outdated assumptions about animals. The authors' intention, however, is not to unseat humans from their moral pinnacle but to uplift our animal kin into the moral realm. Written as much for other academics as for interested lay readers, this lucid book is highly recommended for animal behavior collections in university and large public libraries."
Review
and#8220;Wild Justice makes a compelling argument for open-mindedness regarding non-human animals. . . I think theyand#8217;ve hit the right note here in trying to further discussion of a provocative thesis.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;Bekoff and Pierceand#160;have managed to convince this initial sceptic that, at the very least, they have a strong case backed by compelling evidence. . . . As a result of reading Wild Justice I know a lot more than I did. I will never be able to look at a dog or a cat, or a cow or a coyote for that matter, in the same way again.and#8221;
Review
"Do animals feel empathy for each other, treat one another fairly, cooperate toward common goals, and help each other out of trouble? In short, do animals demonstrate morality? Bekoff and Pierce answer with an emphatic 'yes!'and#160;in this fusion of animal behavior, animal cognition, and philosophy. The authors discuss the sense of fair play and justice in nonhuman animals. Social animals form networks of relationships, and these relationships rely on trust, reciprocity, and flexibilityand#8212;just as they do in humans. Calling these behaviors morality, the authors present evidence that morality is an adaptive strategy that has evolved in multiple animal groups. Basing their argument for animal morality on published research (listed in the generous bibliography) and anecdotal evidence, the authors group moral behaviors into three clusters: cooperation, empathy, and justice, each of which is discussed in turn. A final chapter is a synthesis of moral behavior and philosophy, suggesting areas for further study and discussion. The conversational tone and numerous illustrative examples make this an excellent introduction to a new science."
Review
"One of the most fascinating--and readable--academic books of the year, this groundbreaking study gathers together some remarkable research about the way animals can show compassion and empathy and even have a sense of fair play."
Review
"The authors write as though theyand#160;are having a conversation with the reader. . . . This well-thought-out, provocative work will give scientific and lay readers plenty of examples to rethink and open new paths of research into the lives and minds of animals."
Review
andldquo;Written by two of the most distinguished teachers and scientists ever to have studied dogs, Coppingerandnbsp;and Feinstein, this book explores theandnbsp;behavioral design of the dog most eloquently. The authors detailandnbsp;a modern perspective on our understanding of canine ethology thatandnbsp;began with Charles Darwin and continued withandnbsp;Konrad Lorenz, as they build on the pedagogical approach of a courseandnbsp;written by Ray for the UKandrsquo;s Centre of Applied Pet Ethology.andnbsp;How Dogs Workandnbsp;clearlyandnbsp;describesandnbsp;why a dog behaves like a dog as result of being physically,andnbsp;physiologically, genetically, and developmentally shaped like a dog, andandnbsp;steadily shapes our understanding of just how and why dogs are such a specialandnbsp;species. But this is no dry scientific tome;andnbsp;rather, it is delightfully and sensitively written and will surely strengthen yourandnbsp;love of dogs by enhancing your appreciation of their evolution alongside man,andnbsp;their emotions, and their behavior. It is quiteandnbsp;simply aandnbsp;andlsquo;must haveandrsquo;andnbsp;for all dog enthusiasts, dog behaviorists, and training professionals and is an illuminating joy to read for all dogandnbsp;owners.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;How Dogs Work draws on the authorsand#39; extensive knowledge from years of experience and field experiments. They have done more serious, hands-on experiments with dogs, over a longer period of time, than almost any other researcher, which makes their research worth paying close attention to. While offering an integrated perspective for viewing and understanding the behaviors of dogs, the book is also entertaining and informative due to its frequent use of colorful examples.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Coppinger and Feinstein reveal how dog behavior has built-in biological origins and constraints and how it is influenced by genetics, the environment, and the consequences of that behavior. andnbsp;If you really want to know more about animal behavior, and dog behavior especially, then this is a book for you. Be prepared to be challenged and you will learn a lot.andrdquo;
andnbsp;
Synopsis
Scientists have long counseled against interpreting animal behavior in terms of human emotions, warning that such anthropomorphizing limits our ability to understand animals as they really are. Yet what are we to make of a female gorilla in a German zoo who spent days mourning the death of her baby? Or a wild female elephant who cared for a younger one after she was injured by a rambunctious teenage male? Or a rat who refused to push a lever for food when he saw that doing so caused another rat to be shocked? Aren't these clear signs that animals have recognizable emotions and moral intelligence? With
Wild Justice Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce unequivocally answer "yes".
Marrying years of behavioral and cognitive research with compelling and moving anecdotes, Bekoff and Pierce reveal that animals exhibit a broad repertoire of moral behaviors, including fairness, empathy, trust, and reciprocity. Underlying these behaviors is a complex and nuanced range of emotions, backed by a high degree of intelligence and surprising behavioral flexibility. Animals, in short, are incredibly adept social beings, relying on rules of conduct to navigate intricate social networks that are essential to their survival. Ultimately, Bekoff and Pierce draw the astonishing conclusion that there is no moral gap between humans and other species: morality is an evolved trait that we unquestionably share with other social mammals.
Sure to be controversial, Wild Justice offers not just cutting-edge science, but a provocative call to rethink our relationship with — and our responsibilities toward — our fellow animals.
About the Author
Marc Bekoff has published numerous books, including The Emotional Lives of Animals, and has provided expert commentary for many media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, and the BBC.
Jessica Pierce has taught and written about philosophy for many years. She is the author of a number of books, including Morality Play: Case Studies in Ethics.
Table of Contents
Preface: Into the Wild
Chapter 1. Morality in Animal Societies: An Embarrassment of Riches
Chapter 2. Foundations for Wild Justice: What Animals Do and What It Means
Chapter 3. Cooperation: Reciprocating Rats and Back-Scratching Baboons
Chapter 4. Empathy: Mice in the SinkChapter 5. Justice:and#160;Honor and Fair Play among Beastsand#160;
Chapter 6. Animal Morality and Its Discontents: A New Synthesis
Acknowledgments
Notes
General References
Index
Exclusive Essay
Read an exclusive essay by Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce
Read an exclusive essay by Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce