An interesting suggestion that arose a while back in conversation with Colin Brown of The Deep Submarium, Hull, UK.
Should our organisations articulate a greater educational role in asking visitors ( perhaps young ones in particular) to take a more considered view of the overall relationship between non-human and human animals?
Of course we do generally offer a good deal of factual information on animal life, and we should always stress the conservation and sustainability crisis. Sometime we also talk about the cultural relevance of species. But I suppose there are other ”elephant in the room” animal issues..?
What about farming and eating animals? What about the ethics of any form of animal experimentation? What about the actual practicalities of keeping animals in zoos and aquaria, and the fact that all animals ( including the human primate writing this post) have to die some time?
What about the underlying issue of what, if anything, actually does makes humans different to other animals? Or the charge of this simply being subjective anthropocentricism? What can ‘animal rights’ mean?
If zoos and their like are to only ever be nice, cosy “look at the funny animals” places, I guess such issues are just too controversial and complex…? We do know the very straightforward reason why millions of visitors attend and it is not to attend a philosophy seminar.
But might we not attain a greater respectability and acceptance by Society in general, if we at least began to engage a little in such matters?
John
John@johnreganassociates.com
