Introduction
The book “Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic for Our Relationships with Animals" by Lori Gruen provides a precise view of the nature of ethics in regard to the treatment of animals. In the book, Gruen presents empathy as an important tool for conflict resolution amongst animals and humans as well as within the human relationships. The presentation involves a critique of the way scientists have approached the observation of animals in the past. This has been defined as a detached approach which Gruen points out as a major limiting factor for their ability to understand the different behaviors of the animals. In her argument, the use of empathy as a key aspect of trying to find answers on animal behavior provides major guidance on how to form the important questions and how to determine the answers.
Research indicating that empathy has an evolutionary basis is pointed at as an important indicator for relationships among humans as well as other animals. This is further justified by the role of empathy in the processes of social cohesion, effective communication and the widely exercised parental care in the human society. Empathy is also presented as a key tool in creating the aspects of social cooperation that has been observed even in non-primate animals such as chicken and elephants. The fact that empathy is a characteristic that humans share with a number of other animals is an indicator that it needs to be given greater consideration in defining the relationship between the humans and such animals.
This book, therefore, provides an analysis of the limitations in human relationships with animals due to the approaches created by the traditional ethical values and theories. It then highlights how empathy works, the misconceptions that are often associated with it and further explores the possibilities and limitations of entangled empathy in practical application. In reading this book, some of the key areas that I will discuss further surround the processes and the reasons for moving from the principle-based ethics that are outlined in the traditional ethics theories and the concepts of empathy. The concepts of entangled empathy are based on the creation of a caring perception that highly regards other individuals’ experiences of comfort in a particular surrounding.
Progressing from Principle-Based Ethics
Traditional theories of ethics are considered to have placed greater consideration of principles in the ethical definition of the nature of relationships. Gruen considers this to be the source of ignorance in the nature of the interaction between the victims and the perpetrators of injustice. She proposes that these principle-based ethics lead to the partitioning of self-interest and thus the inability to empathize on other parties involved in the arising conflicts. One of the examples she points out is the inability of some individuals to empathize with victims of an injustice who have been historically associated with similar experiences. This is particularly understandable considering the fact that when principles are used to direct and motivate particular actions, the group or society is often divided into opposing sides as defined by such principles. Therefore, one of the sides will likely not empathize with the consequences of their actions since they are justified by the underlying principles.
Gruen’s approach to the move from the principle-based ethics is based on the need to emphasize on similarities between the different parties instead of their differences as outlined by the principles. This is presented in the form of considerations of similarities between such parties in terms of the context and not merely on the basis of rationality. However, Gruen also proposes the use of a compound approach in these contexts so as to not only evaluate the similarities but also the differences between these parties. The argument is that in determining the differences between the parties should not be used in reinforcing the principle-based ethics but rather serve as a means of enhancing the individual’s self-understanding in order to gain a greater ability to empathize with the other parties.
An extension of the arguments regarding the need to progress from the principle-based ethics is evident in the assignment of traditionally human qualities to animals. However, Gruen argues that it is not this association of human qualities that is important but rather the purpose that this process seeks to serve. Gruen argues that assigning human qualities to animals serve to explain the entanglement in their behaviors with those of the humans. This argument seeks to oppose those presented under the traditional ethics theories that emphasize the superiority of the human nature. These arguments by Gruen can be regarded as an attempt to present animals as not being like empty machines and therefore deserve a greater level of empathy than that offered under the principle-based ethics system.
Gruen's approach presents significant value especially with regard to its approach to the recognition of relationships in the modern setting that is characterized by complex interconnections. This approach may be considered to offer a central idea to simultaneously evaluating the human suffering and animal suffering as well as the necessary steps necessary to solving them through the creation of more empathetic relationships. The recognition of using empathy in relationships as presented by Gruen is likely to address more complex moral problems that may not be considered under the general ethical theories and principles. Also, a common framework for defining the relations between humans as well as between humans and animals is critical to creating a universal approach to ethics.
Through consideration of empathy as a part of moral perception includes self-awareness and reflection. This means that this process often involves taking preemptive actions that may result in mistakes as a result of anticipating particular results. This may be considered as the reason why Gruen aligns her arguments with the little considerations of objectivity and impartiality but instead recognizes the need for integration of a more relational perspective. While the traditional ethics theories may be considered to present an over-simplification of the actual moral problems facing the society, using entangled empathy presents a greater strategy to achieving their resolution. This is mainly because of the entanglement of characteristics between humans as well as sharing human attributes with animals removes the dual nature of debates surrounding justice and care and thus the capacity to adopt a more relational view of action as well as response.
Conclusion
The overall sentiment in this reading is that realizing universal empathy in the modern world is significantly big undertaking. Besides the traditional ethics theories, the human separation from nature is reinforced daily by conscious and subconscious agents. Also, empathy may have limitations in the application as well as use in inappropriate situations and thus the emphasis on self-reflection and use of a relational perspective. However, entangled empathy as presented by Gruen appears to be a critical tool in addressing the more complex moral dilemmas that are arising in the modern societies. By associating one's attributes with those of other individuals, it is possible to gain greater empathy for them and thus make more judgments in defining the nature of relationships with them.
Works Cited
Gruen, Lori. Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic for Our Relationships with Animals. New York: Lantern Books, 2015. Print.
