The More You Learn about the Dignity of Animals...

Dian Fossey, the featured protagonist of "Gorillas in the Mist," once said that, "The more you learn about the dignity of animals (in her case gorillas), the more you want to avoid people."  Given numerous works that we've read, films that we've viewed, and conversations we've had, agree, disagree or present an alternative to Fossey's position.  Please offer a thoughtful response of AT LEAST TEN SENTENCES THAT ALSO INCLUDES REFERENCES TO AT LEAST TWO WORKS, FILMS OR POINTS OF CONVERSATION. THANKS.

The Ethics of Animal Experimentation

In the Stanford article you will read tonight, the author contends the following: "Some people argue that all animal experimentation should end because it is wrong to treat animals merely as tools for furthering knowledge. According to this point of view, an animal should have as much right as a human being to live out a full life, free of pain and suffering. Others argue that while it is wrong to unnecessarily abuse animals, animal experimentation must continue because of the enormous scientific resource that animal models provide. Proponents of continued animal experimentation often also point out that progress can still be made to improve the conditions of laboratory animals and they fully support efforts to improve living conditions in laboratories, to use anesthesia appropriately, and to require trained personnel to handle animals."  Do you agree or disagree with either of these positions?  Why? Please incorporate parts of tonight's reading into your answer. 

The Boundaries Between "US" and "THEM"

In class today, we discussed the nature of the boundaries we and society envisions between humans and animals.  We asked several questions: 1) Was the division as a social construct or was it human nature? 2) Should we make moral distinctions based on an ability to reason (rationality) or on an ability to suffer and feel pain? 3) Why have we each personally changed our views of our relationship between ourselves and animals?  Please offer a thoughtful meditation of at least 10 sentences in responding to at least two of these questions.  You can respond to all three if you like.

"Home"

"Winged Migration," the film we watched on Monday on bird migration, our discussion in class today and the film we will watch Wednesday, "Fly Away Home," each featured or will feature meditations on the meaning of the word "home."  The great American writer William Faulkner once wrote, “How often have I lain beneath rain on a strange roof, thinking of home."  Write about what the word "home" means to you and a time in your life when you felt a longing for it.  Please be as respectful as possible as others will likely share personal reflections.  Please also write about 10 thoughtful sentences.

Tales from Watership Down

Of the four short stories from Adams' Tales from Watership Down, which did you find the most intriguing?  Why? Please respond thoughtfully in at least seven thoughtful sentences.

The Other in Literature

In class today, we discussed the role of animals in your personal lives.  Identify a time as a child or more recently when you encountered an animal in fiction, mythology, or a short story.  What was its significance and why was it important to you?  Please offer a thoughtful short response of at least 7 sentences.