Abstract

Abstract. Theological reflection often treats animals in the very broadest terms and establishes a dramatic difference between humans and animals. Empirical observations, however, describe animals and their relationship to humans in more nuanced ways. Marc Bekoff's science, which integrates ethology and ecology, generates a view of the complex social behaviors of animals and entails observations about difference. Dialogue with Bekoff's sensitive awareness of animal behavior is the occasion to construct a theology of nature that is better informed about diversity among animals and differences within and among species.

Keywords

uniqueness, soul, comparison, ethology, continuity, personhood, theology of nature, difference, diversity, panentheism, intensity, justice, speciesism, animals, variation, attention epistemology

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