Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and Animals - 9780791431269

Anthropomorphism, Anecdotes, and AnimalsAuthor(s): Robert W. Mitchell, Nicholas S. Thompson, H. Lyn Miles\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: State University of New York Press, United States\nImprint: State University of New York Press\nISBN-13: 9780791431269, 978-0791431269\nSynopsis\nPeople 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 .