Acknowledgments
Introduction: Breaking Boundaries
Chapter One: The Case for an Ape Ethic
Chapter Two: Cognition and Intelligence in Environmental
Adaptation
Chapter Three: Social Behavior and Personhood
Conclusion: Long Call for Ape Forest Sovereignty
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Gregory F. Tague is professor of English/interdisciplinary studies and founder and senior developer of The Evolutionary Studies Collaborative at St. Francis College.
Tague's book presents an urgent and compelling argument that, under
human management, forest habitats are under immediate threat of
irreparable harm. His call to cede land to nonhuman "forest
persons" who will better care for and maintain this land--which is
vital for the health and welfare of all living beings on Earth--is
a radical and important one.-- "Journal of Animal Ethics"
An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood clearly shows that it's
high time to recognize who we--human animals--are and who
they--nonhuman animals are--and to appreciate that they, like us,
are highly evolved agents who deserve to be treated with respect
and dignity. It's the decent thing to do. The health of our
magnificent planet depends on our doing this right now. In fact,
it's reasonable to argue that their--these nonhuman
persons'--presence in diverse habitats is more important for
maintaining ecosystem integrity than ours. A very thoughtful and
forward-looking book.--Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts:
Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence
On a planet in peril, our differences (as much as our similarities)
with other species offer urgently-needed lessons for living in
harmony with the natural world. Dr. Tague draws on a rich array of
sources from science and philosophy to provide a timely,
provocative distinction between humans who exploit the environment
and Great Apes who coexist successfully with it, a difference that
should confer moral status on our closest primate
relatives.--Christine E. Webb, Harvard University
This book takes you through a series of cogent arguments to the
conclusion that great apes should be granted personhood by virtue
of their intellectual and moral individualism. Great apes care for
their environment, and they are eco-engineers; unlike humans, the
great apes have not systematically degraded lands. In fact, we
might be able to learn a great deal about environmental ethics from
our primate cousins. This book is, thus, a must read for those
interested in animal ethics in general and great ape personhood in
particular.--Carlo Alvaro, New York City College of Technology
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