In his new book, Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat, anthrozoologist Hal Herzog, who specialises in animal-human relationships, tries to explain why humans like and love some species but hate others. 

www.independent.co.uk/news/science/why-s...

Perhaps one answer might be that we like the animals that look like us.  Baby animals have big eyes and cute little faces, like human babies, and we can relate to that.

Or, maybe it's simply culture.  We in the West are brought up to loathe spiders and other 'creepy crawly' creatures, and to kill them on sight, even though when looked at logically, this makes no sense. 

Then, there is the fact that humans think of themselves as predators, and we naturally resent the presence of other predators like lions and tigers and wolves, with whom we imagine ourselves in competition.

And there is the troubling fact that, although we claim to love our animal friends, we do treat them abominably by slaughtering them in their millions in inhumane ways, and we seem to have distanced ourselves from all of this.  There is a profound and definite disconnect here.

Well...yeah, I suppose you could eat anything if it came to that.  And not just other species, but tree bark, pond scum, arsenic, lint, and straw.  Right?

But the point was not the fact that we humans can eat anything, but WHY we eat what we do.

I don't think too many people have ethical problems with lint or tree bark, but there are many that do have a problem with the way pigs are slaughtered, for instance, or killing wolves simply because they exist.  And nobody these days approves of killing whales or dolphins.

Why?  Because they're 'cute'?  Or because we happen to think they're smart?  Hell, pigs are smarter than dogs, but we don't have any problem slitting their throats, do we?

Nope.  I just don't believe that.  I think that Mr. Herzog makes a lot of sense.

In fact, I think the guy is on to something, and that is the simple fact that humans do discriminate between different species, and sometimes for illogical reasons.  It is true that there are plenty of people who will say that they 'hate' spiders or that they find earthworms repulsive.  And they really feel this way. 

People hate leeches and grubs and maggots. 

Conversely, most people think kittens and baby rabbits are cute.  And you will certainly find enough people who will admit that they love their pet cat or dog.

And it is also true that most people in our Western culture, anyway, would not think of killing, cooking, and eating a dog or cat, simply because we are brought up not to do this. 

So, yeah, there is a definite disconnect here.

Oct 20, 2010 -- 6:41PM, solfeggio wrote:

Nope.  I just don't believe that.  I think that Mr. Herzog makes a lot of sense.

Because you are already a member of the choir.

In fact, I think the guy is on to something, and that is the simple fact that humans do discriminate between different species, and sometimes for illogical reasons.  It is true that there are plenty of people who will say that they 'hate' spiders or that they find earthworms repulsive.  And they really feel this way.

Fear is not hate. Either way, it's irrational.

People hate leeches and grubs and maggots.

Hate is not the right word and it's hyperbolic use detracts from the argument.

Conversely, most people think kittens and baby rabbits are cute.  And you will certainly find enough people who will admit that they love their pet cat or dog.

And it is also true that most people in our Western culture, anyway, would not think of killing, cooking, and eating a dog or cat, simply because we are brought up not to do this. 

So, yeah, there is a definite disconnect here.

No disconnect there. Sorry, just can't see any rational basis for the arguments presented. Lot's of emotional stuff, but not rational.

It's not all that mysterious.

We (generally speaking, of course), "hate" some animals because they can pose a threat. Take spiders, for instance. They are handy to have around. But then again, there are some -- fairly common -- species that can seriously sicken an adult, and probably kill a small child.

What we call "vermin" -- such as rats -- again, are "hated" for very practical reasons. They can carry a wide variety of horrible diseases.

I would say that as an individual, I most certainly don't hate either spiders or rats. I find them both very interesting creatures. But, also for practical reasons, I'm not going to let either species in or near my home. Well, certainly not rats. Spiders -- I like having around, but the women in my household feel differently.

Likewise, both cats and dogs can be very useful at controling said vermin, hence, for very practical reasons, we invited them into our lives. The bonds of affection simply grew after that.

We also identify strongly with dogs, I think, because they are, like us, highly social and intelligent creatures. A dog will assimilate right into a human family, because it dovetails right into his pack instinct. Dogs are naturally both very affectionate toward and protective of members of their "pack." This has great emotional benefits for both species. It can also be practical. When my boys were small, I always knew they were quite safe from any stranger as long as my big, black dog was around.

As far as the ones we eat -- they tend to be large, docile herd animals that have also served as prey to other species. Such animals as those in the deer or bovine families. These animals also carry a lot of nice, tender flesh on their bodies.