Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and Animals (SUNY Series in Philosophy and Biology)

Evaluates the significance and usefulness of anthropomorphism for the scientific understanding of animals by presenting diverse ideas from historians, philosophers, anthropologists, primatologists, psychologists, behaviorists, and ethologists.People commonly think that animals are psychologically like themselves (anthropomorphism), and describe what animals do in narratives (anecdotes) that support these psychological interpretations. This is the first book to evaluate the significance and usefulness of the practices of anthropomorphism and anecdotalism for understanding animals. Diverse perspectives are presented in thoughtful, critical essays by historians, philosophers, anthropologists, psychologists, behaviorists, biologists, primatologists, and ethologists. The nature of anthropomorphism and anecdotal analysis is examined; social, cultural, and historical attitudes toward them are presented; and scientific attitudes are appraised. Authors provide fascinating in-depth descriptions and analyses of diverse species of animals, including octopi, great apes, monkeys, dogs, sea lions, and, of course, human beings. Concerns about, and proposals for, evaluations of a variety of psychological aspects of animals are discussed, including mental state attribution, intentionality, cognition, consciousness, self-consciousness, and language.Robert W. Mitchell is Associate Professor of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University and co-edited Deception: Perspectives on Human and Nonhuman Deceit, also published by SUNY Press. Nicholas S. Thompson is Professor of Psychology and Ethology at Clark University and editor of the Perspectives in Ethology series of Plenum Press. H. Lyn Miles is UC Foundation Professor of Anthropology at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and Director of Project Chantek. People Commonly Think That Animals Are Psychologically Like Themselves (anthropomorphism), And Describe What Animals Do In Narratives (anecdotes) That Support These Psychological Interpretations. This Is The First Book To Evaluate The Significance And Usefulness Of The Practices Of Anthropomorphism And Anecdotalism For Understanding Animals. Diverse Perspectives Are Presented In Thoughtful, Critical Essays By Historians, Philosophers, Anthropologists, Psychologists, Behaviorists, Biologists, Primatologists, And Ethologists. The Nature Of Anthropomorphism And Anecdotal Analysis Is Examined; Social, Cultural, And Historical Attitudes Toward Them Are Presented; And Scientific Attitudes Are Appraised. Authors Provide Fascinating In-depth Descriptions And Analyses Of Diverse Species Of Animals, Including Octopi, Great Apes, Monkeys, Dogs, Sea Lions, And, Of Course, Human Beings. Concerns About, And Proposals For, Evaluations Of A Variety Of Psychological Aspects Of Animals Are Discussed, Including Mental State Attribution, Intentionality, Cognition, Consciousness, Self-consciousness, And Language. Foreword / Frans B.m. De Waal -- 1. Taking Anthropomorphism And Anecdotes Seriously / Robert W. Mitchell, Nicholas S. Thompson And H. Lyn Miles -- 2. Dogs, Darwinism, And English Sensibilities / Elizabeth Knoll -- 3. Why Anthropomorphism Is Not Metaphor: Crossing Concepts And Cultures In Animal Behavior Studies / Pamela J. Asquith -- 4. Amorphism, Mechanomorphism, And Anthropomorphism / Emanuela Cenami Spada -- 5. Anthropomorphism: A Definition And A Theory / Stewart Elliott Guthrie -- 6. Why Anthropomorhize? Folk Psychology And Other Stories / Linnda R. Caporael And Cecilia M. Heyes -- 7. Anthropomorphism And The Evolution Of Social Intelligence: A Comparative Approach / Gordon G. Gallup, Jr., Lori Marino And Timothy J. Eddy -- 8. Panmorphism / Daniel J. Povinelli -- 9. Anthropomorphism And Scientific Evidence For Animal Mental States / Hugh Lehman -- 10. Anthropomorphism In Mother-infant Interaction: Cultural Imperative Or Scientific Acumen? / Robert L. Russell. Edited By Robert W. Mitchell, Nicholas S. Thompson, And H. Lyn Miles. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 435-497) And Index.