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| Jonathan Balcombe |
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| Canines and Felines Authors |
Dr. Jonathan Balcombe was born in
England, raised in New Zealand and
Canada, and has lived in the United States
since 1987. He has written many scientific
papers and lay- articles on animal behavior,
humane education, and animal research. A
popular speaker, he has given invited
presentations in the USA, UK, Canada,
England, raised in New Zealand and
Canada, and has lived in the United States
since 1987. He has written many scientific
papers and lay- articles on animal behavior,
humane education, and animal research. A
popular speaker, he has given invited
presentations in the USA, UK, Canada,
Japan, Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and mainland Europe.
In 2000, the Humane Society Press released his book The Use of
Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives and
Recommendations. His second book, Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and
the Nature of Feeling Good (Macmillan), was released in May 2006.
Jonathan has blogged for First Science and has been invited to blog for
New Scientist once its blog is set up. Jonathan also wrote an online
column titled, Beyond Animal Research for the PCRM website between
2005 and 2006.
Jonathan is currently Senior Research Scientist with Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine, in Washington, D.C. In his spare
time he enjoys nature-watching, biking, piano, vegan cooking and trying
to understand his two cats.
In 2000, the Humane Society Press released his book The Use of
Animals in Higher Education: Problems, Alternatives and
Recommendations. His second book, Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and
the Nature of Feeling Good (Macmillan), was released in May 2006.
Jonathan has blogged for First Science and has been invited to blog for
New Scientist once its blog is set up. Jonathan also wrote an online
column titled, Beyond Animal Research for the PCRM website between
2005 and 2006.
Jonathan is currently Senior Research Scientist with Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine, in Washington, D.C. In his spare
time he enjoys nature-watching, biking, piano, vegan cooking and trying
to understand his two cats.
This morning as I went to fetch the paper from the front porch of my town-
home in suburban Maryland, a neighbor took her dog across the parking
area to a central green-space for a morning bathroom break. I’ve seen
this mid-sized, thickly furred canine on his morning ablutions before.
Usually it’s the man of the house who is on the other end of the
retractable leash, but in either case, there’s a sense of rush-hour haste
to the operation. These folks clearly have jobs to get to and the AM dog
shift is all business—I only hope the evening walk is less perfunctory.
This morning the dog took a wee then, in typical dog fashion, began
sniffing about in the grass. The woman paused a few seconds then gave
a half-hearted tug on the leash. Fluffy was pulled slightly off balance, but
resumed her snuffling about. As she trotted over to investigate another
smell served up on the morning’s grassy tableau, another tug altered her
direction. But she once again resumed her Hoovering, probably hoping
to savor one or two more bouquets before the inevitable return to the
relatively bland landscape of indoor carpets and floorboards. Finally, the
woman—perhaps growing impatient that the dog’s trivial pursuits were
obstructing her own list of important tasks—produced a decisive jerk and
the two re-crossed the pavement.
The dog probably knows the routine. She knows the AM shift is short,
and that she won’t have long to sniff the world. But she also knows, from
experience, that her busy humans, like the leash she’s on, will yield a
little. By staying on-task she can buy some time. This, surely, is a dog
exercising her will
Isn’t it interesting that the exercise of free will could ever have been
viewed as a uniquely human trait? My New Oxford American Dictionary
(2nd Edition) defines “will” as the faculty by which a person decides on
and initiates action. Apart from the reference to a “person,” there’s
nothing about the capacity that doesn’t also apply to any conscious
creature who can plan and act. It is now widely documented—if not yet
enshrined in popular thinking—that other animals are conscious
planners. Furthermore, some philosophers, including the influential Peter
Singer, argue that the designation “person” also applies to some
animals. I agree, and if it would improve a dog’s lot, or a chicken’s, then I
will it to happen. So, I suspect, would Fido.
home in suburban Maryland, a neighbor took her dog across the parking
area to a central green-space for a morning bathroom break. I’ve seen
this mid-sized, thickly furred canine on his morning ablutions before.
Usually it’s the man of the house who is on the other end of the
retractable leash, but in either case, there’s a sense of rush-hour haste
to the operation. These folks clearly have jobs to get to and the AM dog
shift is all business—I only hope the evening walk is less perfunctory.
This morning the dog took a wee then, in typical dog fashion, began
sniffing about in the grass. The woman paused a few seconds then gave
a half-hearted tug on the leash. Fluffy was pulled slightly off balance, but
resumed her snuffling about. As she trotted over to investigate another
smell served up on the morning’s grassy tableau, another tug altered her
direction. But she once again resumed her Hoovering, probably hoping
to savor one or two more bouquets before the inevitable return to the
relatively bland landscape of indoor carpets and floorboards. Finally, the
woman—perhaps growing impatient that the dog’s trivial pursuits were
obstructing her own list of important tasks—produced a decisive jerk and
the two re-crossed the pavement.
The dog probably knows the routine. She knows the AM shift is short,
and that she won’t have long to sniff the world. But she also knows, from
experience, that her busy humans, like the leash she’s on, will yield a
little. By staying on-task she can buy some time. This, surely, is a dog
exercising her will
Isn’t it interesting that the exercise of free will could ever have been
viewed as a uniquely human trait? My New Oxford American Dictionary
(2nd Edition) defines “will” as the faculty by which a person decides on
and initiates action. Apart from the reference to a “person,” there’s
nothing about the capacity that doesn’t also apply to any conscious
creature who can plan and act. It is now widely documented—if not yet
enshrined in popular thinking—that other animals are conscious
planners. Furthermore, some philosophers, including the influential Peter
Singer, argue that the designation “person” also applies to some
animals. I agree, and if it would improve a dog’s lot, or a chicken’s, then I
will it to happen. So, I suspect, would Fido.
A Dog's Will - From Jonathan's BLOG
Pleasurable Kingdom presents new evidence that
animals--like humans--enjoy themselves. From birds
to baboons, insects to iguanas, animals feel good
thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort,
aesthetics, and more. Combining rigorous evidence,
elegant argument and amusing anecdotes, leading
animal behavior researcher Jonathan Balcombe
shows that the possibility of positive feelings in
creatures other than humans has important ethical
ramifications for both science and society.
animals--like humans--enjoy themselves. From birds
to baboons, insects to iguanas, animals feel good
thanks to play, sex, touch, food, anticipation, comfort,
aesthetics, and more. Combining rigorous evidence,
elegant argument and amusing anecdotes, leading
animal behavior researcher Jonathan Balcombe
shows that the possibility of positive feelings in
creatures other than humans has important ethical
ramifications for both science and society.
Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of
Feeling Good
Feeling Good
