When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals

by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

Paperback, 1996

Status

Available

Call number

591.51

Genres

Collection

Gus

Publication

Delta (1996), 320 pages

Description

Offers evidence of emotions throughout the animal kingdom and evaluates humans' treatment of animals--from hunting to eating them--in light of this discovery.

User reviews

LibraryThing member nandadevi

Librarything member 'Ape' has already done an excellent job reviewing this book, along with others. I'd only add a few things. Firstly that the premise of the book is made clear in the final words - it is an argument for more respect for animals, and for your fellow man and woman. Masson and

McCarthy make a very good case (philosophically speaking) that the scientific community's denial of emotions in animals stems in large part from it's history of abusing animals in the name of (legitimate and sometimes absurd) scientific research. To deny the possibility that the animal feels pain (as some did) or feels fear or sadness makes the abuse bearable - and hence possible. Just as the definition of the 'race' you wish to persecute as 'sub-human' (which is in fact two - not one - arbitrary acts of labelling) makes the persecution of entire populations possible. Add in a dose of good-old anthropo-centrism and the innate conservatism of hard science (and the even more extreme conservatism of wannabe-hard sciences) and you have an explanation for the stance of those who deny emotions in animals.

The authors argument is not so much constructed, however, as illustrated - and with devastating effect. It is true that not all of their anecdotes stand up to scrutiny, but enough hit the mark to make the point. What I particularly appreciated was their references to the work of others - most notably Goodall, Schaller and Singer. If you read this book, and then went on to look at the work of these others then you could say that you have not just dipped into this issue, but have made a serious effort to understand the issues. One of the most important questions that this book raises but does not address (and for this try Singer) is that if you accept that animals deserve respect, what form does this take in our everyday lives - how for instance should we regards factory farming? Masson and McCarthy do an excellent job of pointing the way, but if you stopped here you would have missed out on the real value of their work. Highly recommended on this basis.

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LibraryThing member bookwoman247

Once in a while, a book comes along that smacks you in the face with what you already know through common sense and intuition. This, for me, is such a book.

I've never been so close to becoming vegetarian.

LibraryThing member KRaySaulis

Beautiful book. I loved the little examples. Fascinating personal stories of animals...

LibraryThing member AprilHamilton

While I agree with the author's position that many animals have emotional depth that far exceeds our human understanding or expectations, I don't think this book makes that point as effectively as it could. It's far too emotional, and based more in anecdotal evidence and various animal lovers'

opinions than science. I believe there's enough actual science out there to support the author's position, so I was disappointed to find so little of it in this book.

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LibraryThing member dele2451

A thoughtprovoking analysis of the science, or the lack thereof, regarding emotions in non-human animals. Raises interesting questions about where we (mankind) draw our conclusions about animal intelligence. Contains several intriguing examples of the double standards applied to humans and animals,

especially mammals, when looking for "proof" of complex emotions such as love, mourning, altruism, shame, etc. The authors also discuss some of the underlying reasons (fear of being labeled anthropomorphic being one) which prevent more research from being done in this field. Whichever side of the animal rights issue you're on, it is a compelling read. Warning: There are some
brief, but graphic, discussions of various experiments conducted on animals that may not be suitable for all readers.

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LibraryThing member robrod1

Any one who has ever had pets would never deny their capacity to feel happy, sad, angry, etc., but the Scientific community accuses us of anthropomorphism. Animals can not have feelings like you or I. They don't feel pain or joy. This book makes a case for animals having feelings and cites numerous

stories. It takes a stand against the stupidity of some scientific rules and tries to change them. Anyone interested in this debate will truly enjoy this Book of the Month Club selection. I know I did.

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LibraryThing member Sovranty

A truly introspective look at animals being more than just animals. It brings to light the idea that animals do not require the same intellectual potential or ability to deserve respect and consideration on par with the human animal when being scientifically studied or observed. As thought

provoking as it is, the opinion of the book is not aggressive or overbearing - perfect for the individual who is new to this school of thought.

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LibraryThing member puckrobin

If you have ever loved an animal, shared your life with an animal or wondered just how much the animals we live with have in common with us, here is a book you cannot miss. When Elephants Weep is an eloquent and compelling reminder that one of the traits we share with many other mammals are that we

experience our world through emotional response as well as physical response (or at least that the two are inexorably linked). With touching and thought provoking examples and anecdotes, Masson presents a strong case for the rich and nuanced emotional life of creatures of than humans, and challenges readers to examine their own resistance to admitting how much we have in common with other living beings, with persons who walk on paws, who sheathe claws, who have flippers and fins.

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LibraryThing member lwobbe

Exposes bias in scientific research, with studies in animal emotions traditionally discredited or disallowed; disturbing horrific conditions of research animals. Too much speculation; author too biased himself.

LibraryThing member ChristineEllei

The book presents the argument that animals of all types have feelings, emotions, feel pain and heartache and can feel and express love. For me personally, having been pleasantly owned by pets my whole life, this book was not a stretch in believability. It is an entertaining and well presented

argument for the positive.

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LibraryThing member dariazeoli

I found this book tough to get into. While the anecdotal evidence the author gives to make his point was interesting to read - and probably my favorite part of the book - I found that I often struggled to get through each chapter, perhaps due to the density of the content. It should be noted that

science and philosophy are not my strong points and I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in animal rights.

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LibraryThing member burritapal

I got more out of Masson's book "The Pig Who Sang to the Moon," than I did this. "TPWSTTM" was my catalyst for going Vegan from vegetarian--extremely important. This book, however, was too wishy-washy about making statements that Animals DO have emotions. Duh.

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