IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 28 February 2013
Meijaard E. et al. 2012. Not by Science Alone: why orangutan conservationists must think outside the box. Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology. Vol. 1249: 29-44.
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Online Etymology Dictionary. Orangutan. Retrieved Feb. 28, 2013.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=orangutan
Shawn Thompson. Guest lecture appearance. 2013. The intimate ape: Orangutans and the Secret Life of a Vanishing Species. PHIL 4350: environmental ethics.
Van Casteren A. et al. 2012. Nest-building orangutans demonstrate engineering know-how to produce safe, comfortable beds. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States or America. Vol.109. Iss. 18 :6873-6877.
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Of the two species of orangutans, Sumatran orangutans are listed as critically endangered, Bornean orangutans are endangered, and both have decreasing population trends as listed by the IUCN (international union for the conservation of nature). This is due to a number of factors including illegal hunting, pet trade, and tragic forest habitat loss (Meirjaad 2012).
Orangutans are one the most intelligent animals besides humans and have highly sophisticated thinking. One study reported on the way they build nests in the trees to sleep in. They seem to have learned the properties of wood and use that knowledge in their nest building. They use stronger branches as a frame and lighter more leafy ones as a sort of mattress. Their technique involves weaving, intelligent use of half broken branches, and an understanding of mechanical design and architecture (Casteren 2012).
The word orangutan comes from “man of the woods” in Malay language. This is fitting because of the many traits they have in common with human beings. This was Shawn Thompson’s point he was making in his guest lecture appearance in PHIL 4350: conservation ethics. According to Shawn every wall that has been erected to demarcate humans from orangutans has been shown to be false. However, historical thinking was that humans are the most superior life form for a variety of ungrounded reasons be it religious reasons, moral reasons, or some trait like communication, or use of rational thinking etc. (Thompson S. 2013). In any case humans were the only things granted personhood in the eyes of the law. Since then, corporations have been granted personhood which has allowed them a number of legal rights. This idea of non-human personhood could have major implications for conservation. There is currently a movement to grant great apes legal personhood which would grant them legal rights of their own. This would make conservation efforts much easier because it would be law to respect their rights.
If it is possible to grant the great apes personhood, and corporations have already become legal persons, why should it stop there? This is a question generated from some philosophical thinking in biocentrism, which wishes to extend inherent value to non-human animals. Arguments could be made for inherent value of all living things in varying degrees, and if this could extend into legal concern regarding personhood, then conservation could have a strangle grip on government protection of endangered species. Furthermore, though maybe a bit early, this kind of biocentric thinking where humans are only a part of the natural world could influence legal concerns regarding the inherent value of the non-living environment. These kinds of changes in thinking and legal concern would be much more efficient because laws would be forced to respect animals and the environment for their own sake as opposed to protecting them indirectly because of what they mean to humans.
Words 474.
So many interesting points. It amazes me that corporations can be defined as persons (mostly for accountability I suppose), while a living breathing organisms with higher thought processes is denied and exploited by greedy hunters and human expansion. Anyone else extremely disappointed with the human race as a whole?
ReplyDeleteNice incorporation of the Environmental Ethics seminar topic. It is absolutely incredible to me that corporations are granted personhood. Hopefully we, as a species, will realize our true purpose on the planet in time to stop ourselves from destroying it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, Mitch. I should start going to more of the science seminars. The topics seem very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteWhoa... Corporations are classified as persons? I was unaware of this. That seems so weird! You'd think that an organism such as the orangutan would logically be closer to a person than a non-living entity. Humans are a strange creature.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea...
ReplyDeleteBut I do see one problem with the idea of classifying animals (and corporations, for that matter) as persons... would anyone consider plants to be people?
I think it is important to consider this as, in light of humans currant domineering attitude towards plants, declaring other animals as "persons" could have a negative impact upon plants and THEIR conservation!
Just an idea :)
Interesting post, but if they gave orangutans person clssification, would they have to obey "laws"?
ReplyDeleteWow, what interesting ideas. I've also heard of people arguing for personhood for dolphins as they seem to be self aware. What is the difference between protecting a species by conservation organizations versus government laws (such as personhood)?
ReplyDeleteIt is always a debate if we can grant any animal personhood. Do they think? Do they have feelings? Who knows... It was interesting to hear that they have an understanding of mechanical design and architecture; this makes me re-think whether or not they should be granted personhood.
ReplyDeleteI also know that the reason why you didn't post a photo of an orangutane was for Emily's sake. A really scary one would have been greatly appreciated!
Good post... interesting that corporations are classified as people. I cant wait to talk about this in class!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely disappointed in the human race, especially after watching the Cove. We do some strange, strange things and seem to have endless excuses for our actions.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the new Planet of the Apes movie, with the big orangutan that knows sign language. These creatures are so smart.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone watch community? This reminds we of the episode when "Subway" enrolled as a student. This is crazy!
ReplyDeleteinteresting, it's amazing the impact that our central beliefs can actually have on the world
ReplyDelete