In this book, Rod Preece takes issue with the popular but simplistic view that the Western cultural tradition has encouraged attitudes of domination and exploitation toward the natural world, particularly animals. he contends that the much-maligned Western tradition has far more to commend it than is customarily recognized, and the much-vaunted “Oriental” and Aboriginal orientations to animals and nature have habitually been described in a misleadingly rosy hue. According to Preece, the West has often been misread, frequently for ideological reasons. He argues that Western conceptions of objectivity and individuality have in fact resulted in a readier appreciation of the worth of animals than in some other cultures. Moreover, the Western anti-rationalist tradition has often treated animals and nature with a healthy respect. There is a continuing disjunction between theory and practice in the non-Western world, as well as in the West, where all too often only one side of the Aboriginal and Oriental myth and literature is reported. Preece concludes that while the West has much to learn from Oriental and Aboriginal traditions, so also have the Oriental and Aboriginal worlds much to learn from the West.

Animals and Nature: Cultural Myths, Cultural Realities

Politics & Social Sciences

Preece, Rod

Social Sciences

UBC Press

In this book, Rod Preece takes issue with the popular but simplistic view that the Western cultural tradition has encouraged attitudes of domination and exploitation toward the natural world, particularly animals. he contends that the much-maligned Western tradition has far more to commend it than is customarily recognized, and the much-vaunted “Oriental” and Aboriginal orientations to animals and nature have habitually been described in a misleadingly rosy hue.According to Preece, the West has often been misread, frequently for ideological reasons. He argues that Western conceptions of objectivity and individuality have in fact resulted in a readier appreciation of the worth of animals than in some other cultures. Moreover, the Western anti-rationalist tradition has often treated animals and nature with a healthy respect. There is a continuing disjunction between theory and practice in the non-Western world, as well as in the West, where all too often only one side of the Aboriginal and Oriental myth and literature is reported. Preece concludes that while the West has much to learn from Oriental and Aboriginal traditions, so also have the Oriental and Aboriginal worlds much to learn from the West.

In our modern world, where human will routinely presides over the natural world, it is easy to imagine that sensibility to animals has been merely a matter of peripheral concern in human history. Rod Preece, in this impressively researched volume, demonstrates that, on the contrary, respect for animals has always been a part of human consciousness. Awe for the Tiger, Love for the Lamb brings together the most significant statements of sensibility to animals in the history of thought. Each chapter begins with an introduction that explains the significance of the passages, and relates them to each other culturally, historically, and philosophically. Myth, religion, literature, philosophy, and parliamentary debates are all represented in this compendium whose time frame stretches from the early days of recorded human history to the beginning of the twentieth century. This unique book will be welcomed by scholars interested in animal studies and the history of ideas, as well as those with a concern for animal life.

Awe for the Tiger, Love for the Lamb: A Chronicle of Sensibility to Animals

Philosophy

First Published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

History

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution: The Historical Status of Animals

"In this inquiry into the status of animals in human society from the fifth century BC to the present, Rod Preece provides a wholly new perspective on the human-animal relationship. He skillfully demonstrates that, counter to prevailing intellectual opinion, ethical attitudes toward animals are neither restricted to the twentieth century nor the result of Darwin's theory of evolution. They have been part of Western thought and culture for centuries." "Preece builds a cogent and persuasive argument, challenging current assumptions about the historical status of animals in Western civilization. He dispels the notion that animals were denied ethical consideration by Christian doctrine, refutes the claim that the Cartesian conception of animals as automata was widely embraced, and proves that "theriophily"--The notion of animal superiority over humans - was given greater credence than is commonly recognized. The exhaustive research and breadth of knowledge that Preece reveals in this book are matched by his belief in our ethical responsibilities to animals."--Jacket.

In this provocative inquiry into the status of animals in human society from the fifth century BC to the present, Rod Preece provides a wholly new perspective on the human–animal relationship.Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution traces the historical status of animals in western civilization, and shows that current scholarship in this area is seriously deficient. Preece particularly contests the customary claims: that the Christian doctrine has denied immortality to animals, with the corresponding implication that they were thereby denied ethical consideration; that there was a near universal belief animals were intended for human use, with the corresponding implication that they were not ends in themselves, and were thus not entitled to ethical consideration; that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution had a profoundly positive impact on the way in which nonhuman animals were regarded and treated; and that the idea of the “happy beast” was merely a trope to condemn humans for their hubris and was not at all a sincere attempt to raise the status of animals.In contrast to prevailing intellectual opinion, Preece argues that a significant number of early Christians were vegetarian; that control of nature was often undertaken not at the expense of animals but, in part, out of exasperation at their tribulations; that the Cartesian conception of animals as automata was largely rejected, especially in the English-speaking world; that Darwin’s theory of natural selection had no appreciable influence on the status of animals; and, finally, that “theriophily” – the notion of animal superiority over humans – was given greater credence than is commonly recognized.Rod Preece believes that our ethical responsibilities to animals are ill served by the current simplistic and misleading conception of the historical record, and with this book, attempts a significant re-thinking of the human–animal perspective. Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution will be required reading for those from animal scientists to animal philosophers to animal rights activists who have an interest in the history and philosophy of animal ethics.

Americas

Sins of the Flesh: A History of Ethical Vegetarian Thought

Unlike previous books on the history of vegetarianism, Sins of the Flesh examines the history of vegetarianism in its ethical dimensions, from the origins of humanity through to the present. Full ethical consideration for animals resulting in the eschewing of flesh arose after the Aristotelian period in Greece and recurred in ancient Rome, but then mostly disappeared for centuries. Despite the occasional presence of ascetic and cultural vegetarianism, it was not until the turn of the 19th century that vegetarian thought was revived and enjoyed some success. It subsequently went into another period of decline that lasted through much of the 20th century. The authority-questioning cultural revolution of the 1960s brought a fresh resurgence of vegetarian ethics that continues to the present day. Sins of the Flesh is a ground-breaking history of ethical vegetarianism that will appeal to all readers concerned with human-animal relations and the foundations of animal rights.

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Cooking Education & Reference

Unlike previous books on the history of vegetarianism, Sins of the Flesh examines the history of vegetarianism in its ethical dimensions, from the origins of humanity through to the present.Full ethical consideration for animals resulting in the eschewing of flesh arose after the Aristotelian period in Greece and recurred in ancient Rome, but then mostly disappeared for centuries. Despite the occasional presence of ascetic and cultural vegetarianism, it was not until the turn of the 19th century that vegetarian thought was revived and enjoyed some success. It subsequently went into another period of decline that lasted through much of the 20th century. The authority-questioning cultural revolution of the 1960s brought a fresh resurgence of vegetarian ethics that continues to the present day.Sins of the Flesh is a ground-breaking history of ethical vegetarianism that will appeal to all readers concerned with human-animal relations and the foundations of animal rights.

Animal Sensibility and Inclusive Justice in the Age of Bernard Shaw

In search of insight into late Victorian ideas about animals and the animal rights movement, Rod Preece explores animal sensibility in the work of George Bernard Shaw. Shaw’s reformist thought–particularly what Preece calls inclusive justice, which aimed to eliminate the suffering of both humans and animals–emerges in relation to that of fellow reformers such as Edward Carpenter, Annie Besant, and Henry Salt. This fascinating account of the characters and crusades that shaped Shaw’s philosophy sheds new light not only on modernist thought but also on the relationship between historical socialism and the ethical treatment of animals.

Literature & Fiction

Dramas & Plays

In search of insight into late Victorian ideas about animals and the animal rights movement, Rod Preece explores animal sensibility in the work of George Bernard Shaw. Shaw’s reformist thought–particularly what Preece calls inclusive justice, which aimed to eliminate the suffering of both humans and animals–emerges in relation to that of fellow reformers such as Edward Carpenter, Annie Besant, and Henry Salt. This fascinating account of the characters and crusades that shaped Shaw’s philosophy sheds new light not only on modernist thought but also on the relationship between historical socialism and the ethical treatment of animals.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Preece, Rod. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Preece, Rod

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Preece, Rod. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Animals and Nature: Cultural Myths, Cultural Realities

Animals and Nature: Cultural Myths, Cultural Realities

Awe for the Tiger, Love for the Lamb: A Chronicle of Sensibility to Animals

Awe for the Tiger, Love for the Lamb: A Chronicle of Sensibility to Animals

Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution: The Historical Status of Animals

Brute Souls, Happy Beasts, and Evolution: The Historical Status of Animals

Sins of the Flesh: A History of Ethical Vegetarian Thought

Sins of the Flesh: A History of Ethical Vegetarian Thought

Animal Sensibility and Inclusive Justice in the Age of Bernard Shaw

Animal Sensibility and Inclusive Justice in the Age of Bernard Shaw