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One more ASA 2014 CFP - Deadline for abstract submission January 5th 2014
Papers are invited for the panel, Social Animals and Us: Anthropomorphism and Animal Utopias
Panel Abstract
What is it about social animals and insects that provides such a rich pool of inspiration for thought about human nature and society? Studies of human-animal relations often focus on the hierarchy drawn up between humans and other species - in which humans are almost inevitably placed in a position of power and superiority. This is conventionally attributed to the history of Western thought, for example Enlightenment thinkers often viewed animals as inferior because they saw them as machines that had no soul or feeling. Social animals provide an interesting exception. Apes, meercats, elephants, even killer whales appeal to us because of their anthropomorphic qualities. Their communities seem familiar - they seem to have family relationships, hierarchies, and social organisation. Some insects - such as bees or ants - have been held up as exemplars for human utopias: as communists, capitalists, democrats and environmentalists.
Social studies of science have shown that the natural sciences are political discourses, so what does it mean when biologists or ethologists describe animals using political or social metaphors? How have social animals inspired or repulsed us in our ideological formations, how are they embedded into our societies, communities and polities and how are we embedding ourselves into theirs? How do they inspire us to reflect on virtues such as love, cooperation, and social organisation? Or on vice and failings such as aggression, violence, selfishness and theft? In short, how do the stories that we tell about social animals shape our beliefs about what it means to be human?
Full submission guidelines and online submission instructions for paper abstracts can be found here:www.theasa.org/asa14<http://www.theasa.org/asa14>
Convenor: Rebecca Marsland, University of Edinburgh ([log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>)
Dr Rebecca Marsland
Social Anthropology
School of Social and Political Sciences
University of Edinburgh
Chrystal Macmillan Building
15a George Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9LT
0131 651 3864
email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
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