Overview

Gregory F. Tague’s An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood argues that great apes are moral individuals because they engage in a land ethic as ecosystem engineers to generate ecologically sustainable biomes for themselves and other species. Tague shows that we need to recognize apes as eco-engineers in order to save them and their habitats, and that in so doing, we will ultimately save earth’s biosphere. The book draws on extensive empirical research from the ecology and behavior of great apes and synthesizes past and current understanding of the similarities in cognition, social behavior, and culture found in apes. Importantly, this book proposes that differences between humans and apes provide the foundation for the call to recognize forest personhood in the great apes. While all ape species are alike in terms of cognition, intelligence, and behaviors, there is a vital contrast: unlike humans, great apes are efficient ecological engineers. Therefore, simian forest sovereignty is critical to conservation efforts in controlling global warming, and apes should be granted dominion over their tropical forests. Weaving together philosophy, biology, socioecology, and elements from eco-psychology, this book provides a glimmer of hope for future acknowledgment of the inherent ethic that ape species embody in their eco-centered existence on this planet.

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9781793619709

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On a planet in peril, our differences (as much as our similarities) with other species offer urgently-needed lessons for living in harmony with the natural world. Dr. Tague draws on a rich array of sources from science and philosophy to provide a timely, provocative distinction between humans who exploit the environment and Great Apes who coexist successfully with it, a difference that should confer moral status on our closest primate relatives. --Christine E. Webb, Harvard University This book takes you through a series of cogent arguments to the conclusion that great apes should be granted personhood by virtue of their intellectual and moral individualism. Great apes care for their environment, they are eco-engineers; unlike humans, the great apes have not systematically degraded lands. In fact, we might be able to learn a great deal about environmental ethics from our primate cousins. This book is, thus, a must read for those interested in animal ethics in general and great ape personhood in particular. --Carlo Alvaro, New York City College of Technology An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood clearly shows that it's high time to recognize who we--human animals--are and who they --nonhuman animals are, and to appreciate that they, like us, are highly evolved agents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. It's the decent thing to do. The health of our magnificent planet depends on our doing this right now. In fact, it's reasonable to argue that their--these nonhuman persons'--presence in diverse habitats is more important for maintaining ecosystem integrity than ours. A very thoughtful and forward-looking book. --Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence

An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood clearly shows that it's high time to recognize who we--human animals--are and who they --nonhuman animals are, and to appreciate that they, like us, are highly evolved agents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. It's the decent thing to do. The health of our magnificent planet depends on our doing this right now. In fact, it's reasonable to argue that their--these nonhuman persons'--presence in diverse habitats is more important for maintaining ecosystem integrity than ours. A very thoughtful and forward-looking book. --Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence

"""An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood clearly shows that it's high time to recognize who we--human animals--are and who ""they""--nonhuman animals are--and to appreciate that they, like us, are highly evolved agents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. It's the decent thing to do. The health of our magnificent planet depends on our doing this right now. In fact, it's reasonable to argue that their--these nonhuman persons'--presence in diverse habitats is more important for maintaining ecosystem integrity than ours. A very thoughtful and forward-looking book."" ""On a planet in peril, our differences (as much as our similarities) with other species offer urgently-needed lessons for living in harmony with the natural world. Dr. Tague draws on a rich array of sources from science and philosophy to provide a timely, provocative distinction between humans who exploit the environment and Great Apes who coexist successfully with it, a difference that should confer moral status on our closest primate relatives."" ""This book takes you through a series of cogent arguments to the conclusion that great apes should be granted personhood by virtue of their intellectual and moral individualism. Great apes care for their environment, and they are eco-engineers; unlike humans, the great apes have not systematically degraded lands. In fact, we might be able to learn a great deal about environmental ethics from our primate cousins. This book is, thus, a must read for those interested in animal ethics in general and great ape personhood in particular."" Tague's book presents an urgent and compelling argument that, under human management, forest habitats are under im­mediate threat of irreparable harm. His call to cede land to nonhuman ""forest per­sons"" who will better care for and maintain this land--which is vital for the health and welfare of all living beings on Earth--is a radical and important one."

"""An Ape Ethic and the Question of Personhood clearly shows that it's high time to recognize who we--human animals--are and who ""they""--nonhuman animals are--and to appreciate that they, like us, are highly evolved agents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. It's the decent thing to do. The health of our magnificent planet depends on our doing this right now. In fact, it's reasonable to argue that their--these nonhuman persons'--presence in diverse habitats is more important for maintaining ecosystem integrity than ours. A very thoughtful and forward-looking book.""--Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence ""On a planet in peril, our differences (as much as our similarities) with other species offer urgently-needed lessons for living in harmony with the natural world. Dr. Tague draws on a rich array of sources from science and philosophy to provide a timely, provocative distinction between humans who exploit the environment and Great Apes who coexist successfully with it, a difference that should confer moral status on our closest primate relatives.""--Christine E. Webb, Harvard University ""This book takes you through a series of cogent arguments to the conclusion that great apes should be granted personhood by virtue of their intellectual and moral individualism. Great apes care for their environment, and they are eco-engineers; unlike humans, the great apes have not systematically degraded lands. In fact, we might be able to learn a great deal about environmental ethics from our primate cousins. This book is, thus, a must read for those interested in animal ethics in general and great ape personhood in particular.""--Carlo Alvaro, New York City College of Technology Tague's book presents an urgent and compelling argument that, under human management, forest habitats are under immediate threat of irreparable harm. His call to cede land to nonhuman ""forest persons"" who will better care for and maintain this land--which is vital for the health and welfare of all living beings on Earth--is a radical and important one.-- ""Journal of Animal Ethics"""

Author Information

Gregory F. Tague is professor of English/interdisciplinary studies and founder and senior developer of The Evolutionary Studies Collaborative at St. Francis College.

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