tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261748503426298041.post3375611964310214312..comments2023-10-21T13:04:34.038-07:00Comments on Our Place in the World: A Journal of Ecosocialism: 32. Artificial Nature: The Case of Exotic Pet IndustryKamran Nayerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13737979861971221811noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261748503426298041.post-2547669437784628932010-03-29T17:54:19.845-07:002010-03-29T17:54:19.845-07:00Robin, speciesism is the belief that one's own...Robin, speciesism is the belief that one's own species is superior to other species. As I know of no other species that holds such q view, speciesism is limited to us, Homo sapiens. It is a belief that somehow Homo sapiens are the "chosen" species. In the Judo-Christian tradition it is attributed to God's creation. But even secular Enlightenment thought replaced God with Man still reserving a privileged position for Homo sapiens. Even in much of Marxist discourse, "struggle against nature" and "control of nature" as opposed to living as a part of it and in harmony with it is common. As I have written earlier, Darwinian evolutionary theory gives a scientific and rational burial to such speciesist views. In this theory, evolutionary process is not towards a pre-determined goal or resulting in superior species; even though some supporters of the evolutionary theory mistakenly assume so showing that old ideas are hard to die. In my mother-language, Farsi, the word chosen for "evolution" is TAKAMOL meaning "moving towards perfection." Thus, it is very common among Iranians who studied Darwin's theory in high school to think that Homo sapiens are the goal and ultimate result of the evolutionary process. They end up thinking about our species very much in the Judo-Christian tradition or in secular humanist fashion. <br /><br /> Clearly, if we accept the Darwinian evolutionary logic. we are more likely to grant other species equal rights, allowing them to live according to their (un-manipulated) nature. I find this a liberating de-learning experience that makes it possible to rethink our entire "civilization," and, Marx's theory of socialism as overcoming alienation, including from nature. I plan to write about Peter Singer's insight on these issues later and I am delighted that you plan to read his book. I think it is a MUST READ text for anyone who is rethinking Our Place in the World.Kamran Nayerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13737979861971221811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261748503426298041.post-44811662174655057242010-03-27T10:45:25.084-07:002010-03-27T10:45:25.084-07:00This is an interesting and well written essay. I d...This is an interesting and well written essay. I do look forward to your discussion of speciesism. Reading the article inspired me to order a copy of Animal Liberation. Let's talk after I read it. That may help me understand your serious concerns over human interventions into nature, which I probably do not currently share in the way - your values - that you do.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04642381059340997735noreply@blogger.com