1) Displacement is the feature that allows humans to talk about past and present events. Animals do not use displacement in the wild. They are stuck in the present and do not communicate on things that happened in the past (O’Neil 3). It is more applicable to human linguistic than animal communication because humans talk about past and present events. Humans need to be able to communicate about past events to help determine the future. Animals do not need to communicate on past events for their survival. They must be in the present and communicating on things that are there in the moment.
2) Ethology is the study of how animals act in their natural habitat (Merriam Webster). Animal studies can tell us many different things about animal communication
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Studying animals in captivity allows for scientist to see how different animals can interact within their groups (Morell 181). It is very difficult to study how birds communicate in their natural habitat with others when they are stuck in cages (Morell 181). Also animals that are studied in captivity are studied by themselves and so researchers could potentially miss out on key components that could be vital to their research. An advantage of studying animal communication in captivity is that studying the behaviors of larger mammals is easier. A disadvantage of studying animals in the wild is you could potentially lose the group you are studying or it could be hard to keep track of the whole …show more content…
These gestures can range from eye contact to body language to communicate a certain meaning to a human or another animal. Dogs will show their teeth and the hair on the back of their neck will raise to show they are in attack mode. If a dog is scared it will tuck its tail between its legs and cower down. Also if a dog is happy it will then do the opposite of scared and will wag its tail. A cat when in attack mode will puff out its hair to make itself look bigger than the opponent. When a cat is happy with a person they will have their tail raised and will rub on their owner. Also a cat that is about to attack prey will be crouched down and ready to pounce on their target. Cats use their eyes to show aggression. If cats stare at another cat this is interpreted as a challenge (Williams). Birds who are showing aggression will flap their wings at another bird. Another sign of aggression is they will snap at other birds. A bird that is looking for a mate may find certain things to attract a mate other than their calls
“…animals, plants and even “inert” entities such as stones and rivers are perceived as being articulate and at times intelligible subjects, able to communicate and interact with humans for good or ill. In addition to human language, there is also the language of birds, the wind, earthworms, wolves and waterfalls – a world of autonomous speakers whose intents (especially for hunter-gatherer peoples) one ignores at one’s peril” (Manes 15).
Considering the many challenges animals face in the wild, it is understandable that people may be eager to support zoos and may feel that they are protective facilities necessary for animal life. In the article “ Zoos Are Not Prisons. They Improve the Lives of Animals”, Author Robin Ganzert argues that Zoos are ethical institutions that enrich the lives of animals and ultimately protect them. Statistics have shown that animals held in captivity have limited utilitarian function resulting in cramped quarters, poor diets, depression, and early death for the animals thus, proving that Zoos are not ethical institutions that support and better the lives of animals as author Robin Ganzert stated (Cokal 491). Ganzert exposes the false premise in stating
Since, until we have proof to the contrary, human intelligence is more developed than animal, it would seem easier for us to learn animal language than for animals to learn our speech. Moreover, once a human scientist has decoded an animal language, he is able to understand all the members of his own species, present and future” (Borgese 4). Another point that has influenced some linguists to believe that animal language is not a language is the fact that animal language is not as complex as human language, however, one linguist gives evidence to support that animal language is complex, “Complex forms of communication are found among socialized, communal insects, such as ants, bees, wasps, and termites, and among social animals, such as antelopes, wild horses, wolves and beavers” (Brown 18). The way that Vinson Brown views the complexity of animal language is that all animals in a socialized setting are capable and have a complex system of language ability already in place. The way that other linguists view the complexity or lack thereof with animal language is because of the fact that the animals are unable to form thoughts and feelings to convey to others; their movements are meant for the basic emotions as discussed with the
Communication is used throughout every primate and animal and it includes any behaviors, scents, and autonomic responses. Communication is used to indicate submission, reassurance, or amicable intentions. Vocalizations are used as a form of communication to inform others of predator or food presence. Social living would not be possible without communication.
Townsend S.W. and Manser M.B. (2013). Functionally referential communication in mammals: The past, present and the future. Ethology 119: 1-11
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
I will now move onto arguments supporting the use of animal captivity. I am starting with Kant, who provides a strong argument for animal captivity. Kantian Ethics holds the view that we do not have any direct ethical duties to non-human animals. We only owe ethical duties to rational beings, and non-human animals are not included in this group. The value humanity comes from our capacity to be governed by autonomous, rational choices. Since non-human cannot be part of this, Kant believes we can do as we please with them. This can be demonstrated in Kant’s ‘Political Writings’ when he argues,
Animals have been on earth for about 540 million years and humans have been on the earth for about two hundred thousand years. That means than animals have been on earth for 539,800,000 more years than humans have. Over this amount of time, animals are sure to have developed a language. Imagine you are an animal not knowing what others are saying to you. Animals can learn and have a language to communicate with.
I confess, I am guilty. I am guilty of supporting these disgraceful prisons where the ones held captive are, at times, abducted from there homes and forced to entertain us. I did not support them because I wanted to or thought it to be right, but because I was ignorant and did not know the truth. In fact, at one point in our lives we are all guilty of it. Looks can be deceiving. At first glance we would never think these places to be horrible, but in all reality they are. I am talking about zoos, aquariums, marine parks and circuses. All of these places are just another form of prisons. The only difference between this prison and other prisons is that the prisoners did nothing to deserve to be in there, they are all innocent. I have been to a zoo and a circus, making me guilty, therefore it is my responsibility to inform you about what really goes on behind closed doors.
Zoo captivity is substandard and inadequate for animals. Zoo animals are deprived of their right as animals they are treated unjustly and unfairly.Animals should not be forced to kept in a cage away from their natural environment and be used as a form of entertainment to humans. The animals also suffer from stress and are driven insane by being trapped behind bars. The zoo is supposed to provide safety to these endangered animals but instead, these zoo animals are put at risk towards a variety of dangers such as vulnerability to diseases and starvation. Zoo cavity is harmful for animals, they are used for entertainment purposes.
“Hi, I’m Johnny Knoxville, Welcome to Jackass.” One of the most iconic lines from the early 2000’s. Jackass: The Movie (2002), along with its TV show, 3 sequels, and several spin-offs, features a crew of scraggly amateur stuntmen performing less-than charming acts that unexpectedly took America by storm. To this day the franchise is regarded as an important part of pop culture, largely due to the ironically charming cast with big names such as Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius, and
Animals should not be kept in captivity for any reason unless they have been harmed and need to receive treatment but they should be released as soon as they are healthy and capable of taking care of themselves again. The use of a captive animal for research, education, or entertainment is just wrong no creature deserves to have their life taken away for our benefit. Would you want to be captured and put in a tiny box or a fake little ecosystem, or abused and tortured because apparently that’s the only possible way to train an animal? How about just knowing that your real life is over and now all you get to do is put on a show for people? That is what we put these animals through for our entertainment we tear children away from their parents. In what way is that right? It’s just like kidnapping we put humans in jail for that but only when it’s another human. People act like just because they aren’t human that its ok and they lie to themselves telling themselves that its okay and that the animal will be taken care of, fed, and have a nice little “fake” forest or desert to live in. Just think of it as having a zoo full of humans, or stealing other humans to make profit or teach someone something new by doing something totally wrong and unethical.
There are billions of animals in captivity around the world. These animals are in zoos, breeding centers, and research laboratories. All those animals lead to out lash because of the stress of being in a small confinement habitat. Is it ethical to keep animals in captivity for research, breeding, or for our enjoyment? Over the years keeping animals in captive has not changed in safety and the well-being of the animal.
I believe that wild animals should not be kept in captivity. All around the world there are zoos that hold endangered species and wild animals. I do not believe we should have zoos and that we should shut down all of the zoos and release all of the wild animals that are held within them. It is unnatural and unlawful for wild animals to be kept in a zoo. Animals were born in the wild so why do we take them out of it to put them on display?
Homo Sapiens have developed far beyond their predecessors such as chimpanzees. Humans have an astonishing limit to the understanding of complex ideas. They are able to discern the differences between past, present, and future, and communicate these findings. A human can produce 1020 (or a hundred million trillion) possibilities of sentences that are twenty words long. Human language is not only used for survival, as all other animal communication is, language can be used for expressing