Ethics and Mythology: Conflicts between Two Attitudes toward Nonhuman Species

Author

• Alden Sharp

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

O’Brien, William

Abstract

Western attitudes toward nonhuman animal species can be organized into two kinds: an ethical and a mythological. The ethical attitude is that which characterizes the animal as a subject of ethical consideration, while the mythological attitude is that which characterizes the animal as a semiotic tool for human communicability. Many important conflicts on the issue of animal rights arise out of a conflict of these two attitudes. This thesis examines these conflicts in case studies focused on the wolf species canis lupus as well as in the practices of zoo maintenance and species conservation, with philosophical background in structuralism in the case of the mythological attitude, and contrasting forms of utilitarianism.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Recommended Citation

Sharp, Alden, "Ethics and Mythology: Conflicts between Two Attitudes toward Nonhuman Species" (2015). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2010 - 2019. 238.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_2/238

Extent

47 p.

Identifier

FA00003654