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Marc Bekoff

Jessica Pierce

Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals Hardcover – Illustrated, May 30, 2009

by Marc Bekoff (Author), Jessica Pierce (Author)

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Scientists have long counseled against interpreting animal behavior in terms of human emotions, warning that such anthropomorphizing limits our ability to understand animals as they really are. Yet what are we to make of a female gorilla in a German zoo who spent days mourning the death of her baby? Or a wild female elephant who cared for a younger one after she was injured by a rambunctious teenage male? Or a rat who refused to push a lever for food when he saw that doing so caused another rat to be shocked? Aren’t these clear signs that animals have recognizable emotions and moral intelligence? With Wild Justice Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce unequivocally answer yes.

Marrying years of behavioral and cognitive research with compelling and moving anecdotes, Bekoff and Pierce reveal that animals exhibit a broad repertoire of moral behaviors, including fairness, empathy, trust, and reciprocity. Underlying these behaviors is a complex and nuanced range of emotions, backed by a high degree of intelligence and surprising behavioral flexibility. Animals, in short, are incredibly adept social beings, relying on rules of conduct to navigate intricate social networks that are essential to their survival. Ultimately, Bekoff and Pierce draw the astonishing conclusion that there is no moral gap between humans and other species: morality is an evolved trait that we unquestionably share with other social mammals.

Sure to be controversial, Wild Justice offers not just cutting-edge science, but a provocative call to rethink our relationship with—and our responsibilities toward—our fellow animals.

Print length

204 pages
Language

English
Publisher

University of Chicago Press
Publication date

May 30, 2009
Dimensions

0.9 x 6.2 x 9.1 inches
ISBN-10

0226041611
ISBN-13

978-0226041612
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cognitive ethologist Bekoff (The Emotional Lives of Animals) and philosopher Pierce (Morality Play) explore the moral lives of such commonly studied animals as primates, wolves, household rodents, elephants, dolphins—and a few uncommon critters as well. Citing too few examples (though the authors say that the more we look, the more we'll see) and too many term definitions, this book presents studies of rats refusing to obtain food if it means hurting another rat; the care given by chimpanzees to a chimp stricken by cerebral palsy; and comfort offered to grieving elephants by members of the same herd. The authors contend that, in order to understand the moral compass by which animals live, we must first expand our definition of morality to include moral behavior unique to each species. Studies done by the authors, as well as experts in the fields of psychology, human social intelligence, zoology and other branches of relevant science excellently bolster their claim. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Do animals feel empathy for each other, treat one another fairly, cooperate toward common goals, and help each other out of trouble? In short, do animals demonstrate morality? Bekoff and Pierce answer with an emphatic “yes!” in this fusion of animal behavior, animal cognition, and philosophy. The authors discuss the sense of fair play and justice in nonhuman animals. Social animals form networks of relationships, and these relationships rely on trust, reciprocity, and flexibility—just as they do in humans. Calling these behaviors morality, the authors present evidence that morality is an adaptive strategy that has evolved in multiple animal groups. Basing their argument for animal morality on published research (listed in the generous bibliography) and anecdotal evidence, the authors group moral behaviors into three clusters: cooperation, empathy, and justice, each of which is discussed in turn. A final chapter is a synthesis of moral behavior and philosophy, suggesting areas for further study and discussion. The conversational tone and numerous illustrative examples make this an excellent introduction to a new science. --Nancy Bent

Review

“As a child I learned that behaving fairly, during play with others, was a very important social rule. As a mother, I learned that treating my child fairly was key in building his trust and cooperation. And we find that fairness plays an important role in the social interactions of many different animals and is key in developing and maintaining friendships. Marc Bekoff and Jessica Pierce's ideas about the moral lives of animals stress the significance of fairness, cooperation, empathy, and justice, aspects of behavior desperately needed in the world today. Read this book, share it widely, and incorporate its lessons into your classroom, family room or board room."

-- Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and United Nations Messenger of Peace

"Humans think of themselves as the only moral animals. But what about the elephant who sets a group of captive antelope free, the rat who refuses to shock another to earn a reward, and the magpie who grieves for her young? Cognitive animal behaviorist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce argue that nonhuman animals also are moral beings—with not just building blocks or precursors of morality but the real deal. The research gathered here makes a compelling case that it is time to reconsider yet another of the traits we have claimed as uniquely our own."

― Discover

"Cognitive ethologist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce explore the moral lives of such commonly studied animals as primates, wolves, household rodents, elephants, dolphins—and a few more uncommon critters as well. . . . The authors contend that, in order to understand the moral compass by which animals live, we must first expand our definition of morality to include moral behavior unique to each species. Studies done by the authors, as well as experts in the fields of psychology, human social intelligent, zoology, and other branches of relevant science excellently bolster their claim."

― Publishers Weekly

"Focusing here on the gentler side of animal natures, animal behaviorist Bekoff and philosopher Pierce discuss recent scientific studies documenting that great apes, monkeys, wolves, coyotes, hyenas, dolphins, whales, elephants, rats, and mice are capable of a wide range of moral behavior. They strongly urge the scientific and philosophical communities to recognize that these animals can act as moral agents within the context of their own social groups. This provocative and well-argued view of animal morality may surprise some readers as it challenges outdated assumptions about animals. The authors' intention, however, is not to unseat humans from their moral pinnacle but to uplift our animal kin into the moral realm. Written as much for other academics as for interested lay readers, this lucid book is highly recommended for animal behavior collections in university and large public libraries."

― Library Journal

“In a time when biological determinism, competition, and ‘red tooth and claw’ views of animal and human behavior are so prevalent in both scientific and popular literature, Bekoff and Pierce offer a breath of fresh air. They provide ample evidence and a rational theory for the evolution and existence of cooperation, justice, empathy, and morality in social-living animals. This collaboration of a biologist and a philosopher has done a great service to the current understanding and future direction of the study of animal behavior.”

-- Robert W. Sussman, coeditor of The Origins and Nature of Sociality

“Wild Justice represents multi-disciplinary scholarship at its finest. All future collaborations between ethologists and philosophers will be measured against the high standard set by Bekoff and Pierce.”

-- Tom Regan, author of Empty Cages

“Over the last generation animals have increasingly come to be seen as objects of moral concern rather than mere things that can be used for our purposes. Building on the work of other scientists and philosophers, Bekoff and Pierce challenge us to go further and to see animals, not just as creatures who can be treated unjustly, but as themselves dispensers of ‘wild justice.’ Not everyone will agree, but their provocative challenge must be addressed.”

-- Dale W. Jamieson, New York University

“Wild Justice makes a compelling argument for open-mindedness regarding non-human animals. . . I think they’ve hit the right note here in trying to further discussion of a provocative thesis.”

-- Deborah Blum ― New Scientist

“Bekoff and Pierce have managed to convince this initial sceptic that, at the very least, they have a strong case backed by compelling evidence. . . . As a result of reading Wild Justice I know a lot more than I did. I will never be able to look at a dog or a cat, or a cow or a coyote for that matter, in the same way again.”

-- Tom Fort ― Telegraph

"Do animals feel empathy for each other, treat one another fairly, cooperate toward common goals, and help each other out of trouble? In short, do animals demonstrate morality? Bekoff and Pierce answer with an emphatic 'yes!' in this fusion of animal behavior, animal cognition, and philosophy. The authors discuss the sense of fair play and justice in nonhuman animals. Social animals form networks of relationships, and these relationships rely on trust, reciprocity, and flexibility—just as they do in humans. Calling these behaviors morality, the authors present evidence that morality is an adaptive strategy that has evolved in multiple animal groups. Basing their argument for animal morality on published research (listed in the generous bibliography) and anecdotal evidence, the authors group moral behaviors into three clusters: cooperation, empathy, and justice, each of which is discussed in turn. A final chapter is a synthesis of moral behavior and philosophy, suggesting areas for further study and discussion. The conversational tone and numerous illustrative examples make this an excellent introduction to a new science."

― Booklist

"One of the most fascinating--and readable--academic books of the year, this groundbreaking study gathers together some remarkable research about the way animals can show compassion and empathy and even have a sense of fair play."

-- Richard Gray ― Telegraph

"As dense with information as this book is, it remains readable by nonscientists, and its philosophical implications reach far beyond scientific confines."

-- Tom Cushing ― Bark

"The authors write as though they are having a conversation with the reader. . . . This well-thought-out, provocative work will give scientific and lay readers plenty of examples to rethink and open new paths of research into the lives and minds of animals."

― Choice

Refreshingly, the two writers don't claim to have all the answers.Rather, they invite others to build on their research and to discard a model they call outdated: a linear evolutionary scale of higher and lower animals, in which only he former are capable of morality,

-- Jacques Von Lunen ― Oregon Live

About the Author

Marc Bekoff is professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has published more than thirty books, is a former Guggenheim Fellow, and was awarded the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society for long-term significant contributions to the field of animal behavior.

Jessica Pierce has taught and written about philosophy for many years. She is the author of a number of books, including Morality Play: Case Studies in Ethics.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of Chicago Press; 1st edition (May 30, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0226041611
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0226041612
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.9 x 6.2 x 9.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,723,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #126 in Animal Psychology Science in Zoology
- #510 in Animal Behavior & Communication
- #7,326 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality

Customer Reviews:
66 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		57%
4 star		24%
3 star		8%
2 star		5%
1 star		6%

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Yolanda S. Bean

Not What I Was Hoping For...

Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

After thoroughly loving my last non-fiction nature read, I excitedly picked this one up - a book that I have been meaning to get around to for the past six years... I have wanted to read this book so much that I actually have it in hardcover, Kindle and Audible... so needless to say, I have really wanted to read this one...

And I think that may have fed into my ultimate disappointment. The authors spend a lot of time defending their word choices and repeat their anecdotal evidence quite a bit, too. Maybe this wouldn't be as noticeable if I was the sort of reader who set a book aside for days, weeks or months at a time, but in listening and reading to it over a few days, I have to say that I found it repetitive for being so short. What evidence there was that was discussed was certainly interesting, well-presented and definitely balanced, but I just with that there had been more of it! Even the examples were repeated and overall, I just had wanted the book to be more engaging than it was... I wanted more anecdotal evidence as these examples clearly illustrated the authors' main points... I am not sure, the book kind of felt like an overly long introduction without ever really getting "there"... I wish that I didn't have quite so many formats of it... I don't know that I will be re-visiting this one...

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

OERA1

Deserves more stars for sure

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I was simply curious as to the statement that animals can be moral....and what does that mean.

Was able to "connect" all videos and programs about how animals behave and why this behavior. What does it mean? Well--I think, if you read this book you will find out that we are not the only ones. And the fact that we are not really taking the time to study more animal behavior---even after these quite interesting findings. I guess--we always have to justify why we feel we are always superior--thus, we can do what ever we want to any animal--for whatever reason we may have....which btw, we of course do.....still, and it continues.

I do love the section about the "play" rules amongst animals--indeed and interesting study and observation. So common, yet, never gave it the importance is deserves.

Recommend this book even if you not interested in animal behavior, it will make you a better person for sure....or, my own opinion, it will make you a better animal....because, at the end, we too, sometimes behave even worse than animals. And we are confirmed moral beings......aren't we?

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

lori g

Morals and compassion exist beyond Humans.

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2021

Verified Purchase

Whether an animal upright on two legs (us) or on four.... ALL have a moral compass.
I'm sorry that this must be taught...and that it's okay to exploit four-legged animals
with cages and/or cruelty because "they're just animals". Hmmm yet we've been known
to do it to humans/our own kind.... clearly we're the problem.

Helpful

There is a potentially a good book in this subject . . .

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2011

Verified Purchase

. . . I just wish that this was that book.

The authors seek to convince us that when we see animals working together we aren't seeing "veneers of cooperation, fairness, and trust, but the real thing." "Wild Justice" is the name they give to the combination of behaviors they group under the names "cooperation," "empathy," and "justice." They adopt a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing on observations of animals (captive and wild), neurological studies, and philosophy. Of special interest to them is whether or not animals can be said to have moral agency and how our own observational bias comes into play via our expectations that animal morality look like human morality.

While I was ideologically prepared to accept their argument at the beginning of the book, I was unconvinced when I finished. I wish they had spent more time on the argument of moral agency and what it means to behave morally if one may not be making the decision to do so. Too many studies were presented as leading inevitably to the conclusion that an animal acting in a certain way was behaving morally -- it would have been much more convincing if Beckoff and Pierce had explored other theories that attempt to explain why the animals acted the way they did before simply drawing the conclusion that animals have moral lives.

As reading, this was relatively dry. Those expecting the more anecdote-driven style of, say, Jeffrey Masson, will be disappointed. This wasn't convincing enough to be an outstanding addition to the growing body of scientific/philosophical justifications for changing the way we relate to animals. Nor was it emotionally engaging in a way that will win hearts. However, if you have interest in the subject, it may provide a good place to start your research.

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

Thomas G. Bramhall

Fascinating and challenging

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

Rather deep and thought provoking. Nicely documented. One wonders about how we ought to define being human. It seems that most all the distinctions we want to pull out get blown out of the water on regular basis. One wonders if the next revelation will be animal spirituality, them declaring "Of course we have souls. We don't misplace them like you do."

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Lou

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

Useful book for someone wanted to fill their head with knowledge or for use in studying.

Antonio

If you've ever suspected that your animals have a kinder heart than you - read this book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

If you've ever suspected that your animals have a kinder heart than you - read this book. Only our arrogance lets us think that we are at the top of the pile. Maybe animals are here to teach us how to love?

DR H.

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2014

Verified Purchase

Love this book. So interesting and insightful. Very easy to read.

Michelle

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

I love this book, a real eye opener

g t shadforth

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2015

Verified Purchase

Thanks

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