Elephants and Ethics: Toward a Morality of Coexistence

Book Details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

• Authors: Christen Wemmer, Catherine A. Christen

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• ISBN: 9780801888182

• Pages: 483

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 10.0 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches

About The Book

Elephants and Ethics by Christen Wemmer and Catherine A. Christen offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complex and often heartbreaking history of human-elephant interactions. This book brings together a diverse group of international experts to examine the cultural, ethical, and environmental challenges that have shaped the relationship between humans and elephants over the centuries.

The book is divided into three parts, each addressing a different aspect of this multifaceted relationship. Part I delves into the historical context of human-elephant interactions, highlighting the intelligence and emotional complexity of elephants, while exploring issues of stress, pain, and suffering experienced by elephants under human care. Part II focuses on the use of elephants for human purposes, including their roles in zoos, circuses, and as working animals in Asia. The ethical considerations of training, domestication, and captivity are also explored in this section.

In Part III, the authors shift their focus to the challenges elephants face in the wild. As human populations expand, elephants are increasingly coming into conflict with rural communities and conservation efforts. The chapters in this section discuss the impact of human encroachment, hunting, tourism, and human-elephant competition for resources, as well as the ongoing struggle to preserve these magnificent creatures in the face of such challenges.

Elephants and Ethics raises crucial questions about the future of elephants and our moral responsibility to ensure their survival. The authors offer new perspectives on how we can coexist with these incredible animals while also addressing the cultural, conservation, and economic challenges that complicate these relationships.