A expressão das emoções no homem e nos animais, de Charles Darwin: algumas considerações

Como é sabido, a obra mais conhecida de Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) é o Origin of species (1859) que teve seis edições. Contudo, ele publicou também outras obras, dentre elas, The expression of the emotions in man and animals (1872). Nesta obra, ele tratou de aspectos comportamentais de antepassados primitivos do homem e outros animais, segundo os mecanismos evolutivos propostos no Origin of species (1859). O objetivo do presente artigo é discutir sobre alguns aspectos relacionados à mesma. Nesse sentido, comentaremos brevemente sobre seu conteúdo, traduções, edições e alguns desdobramentos posteriores. Este estudo levou à conclusão de que The expression of the emotions in man and animals foi relevante no conjunto de obras de Darwin, considerando a grande quantidade de impressões e traduções para os diferentes idiomas dessa obra. Além disso, levando em conta a repercussão das ideias nela contidas em estudos posteriores como aqueles feitos por Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989) e Nikolaas Tinbergen (1907-1988) e suas contribuições para a emergência da disciplina Etologia, voltada ao estudo do comportamento animal, na década de 1960.

Methodological Signatures in Early Ethology: The Problem of Animal Subjectivity

What is the adequate terminology to talk about animal behaviour? Is terminology referring to mental or emotional states anthropomorphic and should therefore be prohibited or is it a necessary means to provide for an adequate description and should be encouraged? This question was vehemently discussed in the founding phase of Ethology as a scientific discipline and still is. This multi-layered problem can be grasped by using the concept of methodological signatures, developed by Köchy et al. (2016c). It is designed to analyse and systematically compare animal research approaches by examining their common parameters. By examining the works of Konrad Lorenz (1903–1989) and Nikolaas Tinbergen (1907–1988), this paper offers new insights both on a methodological and theoretical level. Methodologically, the application of the concept of methodological signatures is illustrated; theoretically, the principles of Classic Ethology are analysed. My aim is to illustrate how the problem of scientific access to animal subjectivity was addressed in the history of Ethology by analysing statements about animal sentience. For this purpose, I will first outline the general discussion about animal subjectivity and the tension between anthropomorphism and empirical adequacy. I introduce my own theoretical and methodological framework before presenting an analysis of Lorenz’ and Tinbergen’s methodological signatures. Thereby, I show how the question of terminology is deeply embedded in a network of epistemological, methodological and ontological concepts and establish key characteristics in regard to ethological approaches to animal subjectivity. Finally, I shed light on the possibility of using this typology to examine current frameworks of animal welfare research.

Teleonomía y función biológica. Una investigación sobre las raíces y las virtualidades de la teleonomía según Konrad Lorenz

Esta investigación trata de la cosmovisión reflexiva y crítica sobre el papel de la finalidad en la biología elaboradas por Konrad Lorenz. Se trata de una investigación en filosofía y no en biología, por lo que las principales aportaciones de Lorenz a la Etología se insertan en el marco teórico definido por los conceptos de (i.) organismo en Kant, (ii.) evolución adaptativa en Darwin y (iii.) recuperación de la finalidad como teleonomía. Lorenz rechaza la teleología de raigambre aristotélica, y propone un modelo teórico en biología de raíces kantianas y hartmantianas. Se trata de un modelo explicativo en biología. Mi intención en esta investigación radica en explorar las raíces y las virtualidades del modelo explicativo de la finalidad en biología propuesto por el etólogo austriaco.

From the ethology of animals to the human ecology

The title “From the ethology of animals to human ecology” acknowledges both the theories of evolution developed in numerous scientific fields of science, and the academic achievements of Konrad Lorenz and his partners, the development of which are shown through the order of studies they published, from the scope of classical ethology and the row of humanities, to philosophy and human ecology. Lorenz conducted an ethological examination of human culture, thereby uncovering its biological bases, its dynamics, social pathologies and means for overcoming them. Thanks to this Lorenz gained an insight into the character of the crisis of contemporary civilization, described and diagnosed it, presented the causes and proposed a cure. Lorenz recommended mobilizing efforts to create an ecological ethos for those surviving on Earth. Today it isn’t possible to predict the future of Homo sapiens on our planet, however, it is our duty to prepare for our struggle to survive. It is not only about survival but also about the preservation of the human way of life. This is a matter of biological and spiritual survival. Therefore, Lorenz’s ethological humanism takes on the mantle of a new ‘evolutionary humanism’.

Agresja w perspektywie psychologicznej i filozoficznej. Przegląd wybranych teorii

Aggression in a psychological and philosophical perspectives: Review of selected theories: The article focuses on the phenomenon of aggression. From the philosophical perspective, the views of Jean‐Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes are presented. From the psychological perspective, the definitions of aggression, with particular emphasis on the findings of Erich Fromm, and the main psychological theories: the instinct (Sigmund Freud, Konrad Lorenz), libido (John Dollard, Neal Miller, Leonard Doob, Ovral Mowrer, Robert Sears, Leonard Berkowitz) and social learning (Albert Bandura) are presented.

Keepers as social companions: Tactile communication and social enrichment for captive apes

The article addresses the topic of great ape–keeper tactile communication. The aim of this paper is to understand whether direct physical contact can be considered a source of enrichment for captive apes and whether it could be used to enhance animal welfare in zoos. We make use of a multispecies perspective provided by umwelt theory in an attempt to determine the role of touch in zoological gardens. By referring to Konrad Lorenz, we describe keeper–animal relationships as a special case of companionship, highlighting the role of keepers in apes’ social behaviour. The paper considers social touch as the primary means used by social animals to create and maintain increasingly complex relationships. Since tactile communication in interspecific contexts has been underestimated previously, our theoretical framework allows for a better understanding of physical contact in zoological gardens without assuming an anthropocentric point of view. Our hypothesis is that physical contact with keepers may provide enriching opportunities for social animals and help strengthen the bond between animals and their keepers. We emphasize that ape–animal interactions in zoos need to involve keeper–animal physical contact as a possible means for enhancing the apes’ welfare.