Blog

By: Michael de Yoanna

Category: Panorama

Posted: May 28, 2009 10:48 AM

Tags: CODY ENGELHAUPT, VIGIL, PEOPLE

CU Prof Provides Lesson in Animal Morality

Do animals have morals? University of Colorado professor of ecology Marc Bekoff thinks so. And his new book, Wild Justice, in which he argues that morality is "hard wired" into the brains of all mammals, explaining their ability to get along with each other and hence their evolutionary survival, is making waves across the Atlantic. That's because until recently, we humans, gifted with our ability to shape the world around us, thought we were the only species to experience complex emotions and moral decision-making, as Britain's Telegraph reports, noting Bekoff's conclusions have implications for animal-welfare groups who argue that animals deserve to be treated more humanely. Bekoff's theory has its naysayers, but Bekoff raises compelling points. Why, for example, do coyotes ostracize cubs that bite too hard? Why do elephants nurse their ill? Why do healthy chimps go easy with the monkey dominance on their handicapped brethren? Yet Boulder's Daily Camera writes, "not everyone will find the argument persuasive."

Facebook Comments Box

Denver Real Estate 2013 - Get In The Game

Here’s why it’s finally time to get back in the Denver real estate market.

Spin Cities

We’ve highlighted some of the best road cycling routes along the Front Range and in the high...

Risky Business

Colorado’s labor market has more than its share of occupational hazards.

Escape

Each year, more than 18,000 victims of domestic violence call SafeHouse Denver’s hot line. Meet...

Get Well

From obesity to food allergies, we break down five issues facing Colorado’s kids.