Title: The Proximity Between Animals and Humans: Exploring

Behaviors and Perceptions

Introduction:

The relationship between animals and humans has been a constant presence in our
lives, and we often share similar experiences. This synthesis aims to explore the
proximity between animals and humans, focusing on how humans behave and treat
animals, and the challenges of maintaining a hierarchy between them. By analyzing the
provided documents, including a sculpture by Jeff Koons, an excerpt from Jonathan
Safran Foer's book "Eating Animals," an article on foie gras, and another on the
emergence of animal studies, we can gain insights into the evolving dynamics of this
relationship.

I) The Proximity Between Animals and Humans:

1. Animals are omnipresent in our lives: The photograph of Jeff Koons' sculpture of a
caniche highlights the ubiquitous presence of animals in art and our surroundings.
Animals, such as dogs, have become an integral part of our daily lives, serving as
companions and sources of emotional support.
2. Shared experiences: Jonathan Safran Foer's excerpt sheds light on the connection
between animals and shame, emphasizing that animals are part of the community that
influences our moral concerns. Kafka's interaction with fish in an aquarium and his
decision to become a vegetarian reflect his recognition of animals as beings with whom
we share experiences and emotions.

II) The Way Humans Behave with/Treat Animals:

1. Protecting animal rights: Foie gras, as discussed in the article, exemplifies the
debate surrounding the treatment of animals. California's foie gras ban reveals a
growing concern for the humane treatment of animals and the ethical considerations
associated with force-feeding waterfowl to enlarge their livers. Chefs, animal rights
activists, and lawmakers are engaged in a contentious battle over the treatment of
animals in the food industry.
2. Animals as a mirror image of humans: The article also highlights the paradoxical
behavior of humans who simultaneously advocate for animal rights while consuming
animal products. The rise of animal protein consumption and artisanal butchery in
California restaurants raises questions about the inconsistency between our professed
values and our actions.

III) Leveling Humans and Animals:

1. Difficulty in maintaining a hierarchy: The emergence of animal studies as an

academic field signifies a shift in how we perceive and understand animals. The
inclusion of animals in various disciplines challenges the traditional hierarchy that
places humans above other species. The study of animals in art, literature, sociology, and
philosophy blurs the boundaries and highlights the interconnectedness of all living
beings.
2. The human paradox: Humans struggle with reconciling their animalistic nature with
their desire to distinguish themselves from other animals. Foer's excerpt explores the
notion of shame and forgetting in relation to animals, suggesting that our treatment of
animals reflects our willingness to forget or disavow certain aspects of our own animal
nature.

Conclusion:

The synthesis of the provided documents reveals the intricate relationship between
animals and humans. Animals are not merely passive objects in our lives but active
participants in our moral concerns and shared experiences. The way humans behave
and treat animals, as well as the emergence of animal studies, challenges the
conventional hierarchy that separates humans from other species. Recognizing the
proximity between animals and humans prompts us to reconsider our treatment of
animals and confront the paradoxes within ourselves.

Written by : Ali Dabale Ali

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