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Anthrozoology as Symbiotic Ethics

The EASE working group brings together academics and postgraduate students involved in the MA and PhD Anthrozoology programmes at the University of Exeter. The principal contention of the working group is that the recognition of other animals as ethically significant beings is both a necessary part of a sound understanding of human interactions with other living beings, and a moral imperative.

Our particular model of qualitative Anthrozoology places emphasis on (i) an empathetic ‘living with’ (symbiosis) or alongside other animals (either physically, for example through animal rescue, or indirectly, for example through ethical consumerism), (ii) a respect for other living beings as autonomous subjects, (iii) an attempt to grasp, wherever possible, their perspectives as well as those of our human subjects, and (iv) a holistic understanding of the context within which interactions occur. Moreover, we suggest that (v) academic research concerned with understanding these trans-species interactions should have some meaningful, practical application and ultimately improve the lives of our research subjects. Consequently, we propose that Anthrozoology should be reframed as Symbiotic Ethics, to acknowledge the inextricable connections we share with other life forms at a time when our collective futures hang precariously in the balance. 

The blogs featured here are from EASE staff, students and alumni. All posts have gone through peer review prior to publication.