The first German dictionary on human-animal relationships was published

The question of how humans treat and should treat the "other" animals is not only becoming increasingly relevant to society but has again become a topic of science.

Unlike traditional introductions to animal ethics, this lexicon is not limited to moral and philosophical topics but illuminates the human-animal relationship also from a historical, sociological, ethological and cultural perspective. The aim of the lexicon is to help ensure that in research animals are no longer seen as "objects" or "victims" but as individuals. This publication presents current academic discussions and social controversies and different social positions on various issues of human-animal relationships in clear language without sacrificing scientific accuracy.

Arianna Ferrari, associate of ITAS, is not only co-editor of the book but has also written some of the entries, especially on how science and technology affect our relationships with animals. For example, animals have long been a subject of science not only because the vast majority of technical innovations is tested on them but also because animals, especially in biology and medicine, are often subjects of visions of technical designability which can partly be considered as precursors to visions of human beings.

Scientific controversies about sustainability issues, climate change and the role of animals in agriculture and food production and the resulting innovations such as in-vitro meat, which play an important role in the current scientific debate, are also discussed in this book. (26.01.2016)

Bibliographic data:

Ferrari, A.; Petrus, K. (eds.)
Lexikon der Mensch-Tier-Beziehungen. Bielefeld: Transcript, 2015.
ISBN 978-3-8376-2232-4