In the News: Tails of Marin
By John Thompson
Learning lessons from the ethics and emotions of animals
Humans like to think that they invented principles and ethics, honesty and forgiveness. But did they? Or did humans learn these qualities at a time when they lived in harmony with other animals?
"It is clear that morality and virtue did not suddenly appear in the evolutionary epic beginning with humans," says Marc Bekoff, an ethologist, biology professor and author of the new book, "The Emotional Lives of Animals." "The origins of virtue, egalitarianism and morality are more ancient than our own species." He also finds that ethical qualities are a fundamental link between ourselves and other species, and that play is an integral part of learning such values.
"The rhythm, dance and spirit of animals at play is incredibly contagious," says Bekoff. "Not only do their animal friends want to join in or find others with whom to romp, but I also want to play when I see animals chasing one another, playing hide-and-seek, and wrestling with reckless abandon."
Yet these frolics that are so attractive to witnesses and participants are more than fun and games, Bekoff explains. Play often incorporates "making a deal, trusting, behaving fairly, apologizing, forgiving and, perhaps, justice - behavioral attributes that underlie social morality and moral agency." Playful self-handicapping, such as using softer bites or moving slower when playing with an older or very young partner, would seem to teach empathy. Play also teaches that generosity is rewarded by generosity in return.
Nature creates little rewards to make playing, as well as biological necessities, like eating, reproducing and resting, a pleasurable experience. During play, for instance, dopamine and other neurobiological sensory rewards are released by the brain and hypothalamus. This would seem to ensure that individuals learn life skills, like hunting, avoiding being eaten, mating and fitting into a social structure as complex as a wolf pack or elephant herd.
While the subject has not received the amount of research attention it deserves, Bekoff observes that animals rarely use play to manipulate others. Communications, like the bow that dogs use to initiate play, are "honest signals," and cheaters seldom profit. "There is little tolerance for noncooperative cheaters. Cheaters may be avoided or chased from play groups. There seems to be a sense of what is right, wrong and fair." And the ethics, fair play, forgiveness and social structure learned in play are the glue that holds groups together and helps them act cohesively. A well-functioning society will ultimately outperform other, less cohesive, groups, Bekoff notes.
Forgiveness is an equally important lesson learned in play by many species. "Perhaps if we try to learn more about forgiveness in animals and how it functions in play, we will also learn to live more compassionately and cooperatively with one another," Bekoff suggests.
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IF YOU GO
What: "The Emotional Lives of Animals" workshop with Marc Bekoff
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 11
Where: Marin Humane Society, 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato
Fee: $50. Register by calling 883-4621 ext. 363 or visiting www.marinhumanesociety.org.
An acclaimed speaker and educator, Bekoff will show that the question is no longer whether animals have emotions, but rather why emotions evolved in animals and why they matter to them and to us. He will also talk about the evolution of moral behavior in animals.
John Thompson is a journalist and board member of the Marin Humane Society.
