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A Communion of Subjects

Animals in Religion, Science, and Ethics

Kimberley Christine Patton editor Paul Waldau editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Columbia University Press

Published:5th Jan '07

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A Communion of Subjects cover

A Communion of Subjects is the first comparative and interdisciplinary study of the conceptualization of animals in world religions. Scholars from a wide range of disciplines, including Thomas Berry (cultural history), Wendy Doniger (study of myth), Elizabeth Lawrence (veterinary medicine, ritual studies), Marc Bekoff (cognitive ethology), Marc Hauser (behavioral science), Steven Wise (animals and law), Peter Singer (animals and ethics), and Jane Goodall (primatology) consider how major religious traditions have incorporated animals into their belief systems, myths, rituals, and art. Their findings offer profound insights into the relationship between human beings and animals, and a deeper understanding of the social and ecological web in which we all live.

A comparative and interdisciplinary study of the conceptualization of animals in world religions. It explores issues such as animal consciousness, suffering, sacrifice, and stewardship in innovative methodological ways. It also addresses contemporary challenges relating to law, biotechnology, social justice, and the environment.A Communion of Subjects is the first comparative and interdisciplinary study of the conceptualization of animals in world religions. Scholars from a wide range of disciplines, including Thomas Berry (cultural history), Wendy Doniger (study of myth), Elizabeth Lawrence (veterinary medicine, ritual studies), Marc Bekoff (cognitive ethology), Marc Hauser (behavioral science), Steven Wise (animals and law), Peter Singer (animals and ethics), and Jane Goodall (primatology) consider how major religious traditions have incorporated animals into their belief systems, myths, rituals, and art. Their findings offer profound insights into humans' relationships with animals and a deeper understanding of the social and ecological web in which we all live. Contributors examine Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Daoism, Confucianism, African religions, traditions from ancient Egypt and early China, and Native American, indigenous Tibetan, and Australian Aboriginal traditions, among others. They explore issues such as animal consciousness, suffering, sacrifice, and stewardship in innovative methodological ways. They also address contemporary challenges relating to law, biotechnology, social justice, and the environment. By grappling with the nature and ideological features of various religious views, the contributors cast religious teachings and practices in a new light. They reveal how we either intentionally or inadvertently marginalize "others," whether they are human or otherwise, reflecting on the ways in which we assign value to living beings. Though it is an ancient concern, the topic of "Religion and Animals" has yet to be systematically studied by modern scholars. This groundbreaking collection takes the first steps toward a meaningful analysis.

This substantial contribution opens up a broad field and will clearly be inspiration to further work on animals and religion. It is very much welcome. -- Ingvild SA|lid Gilhus Journal of the American Academy of Religion A Communion of Subjects delivers a wealth of resources for stirring the conscience and stoking the imagination. -- Matthew Halteman Christian Century Unique, compassionate, and far-reaching -- Frederick M. Smith Religious Studies Review

ISBN: 9780231136426

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

720 pages