Mobilizing Traditions in the First Wave of the British Animal Defense Movement

Description

This book explores the British animal defense movement’s mobilization of the cultural and intellectual traditions of its time- from Christianity and literature, to natural history, evolutionism and political radicalism- in its struggle for the cause of animals in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Each chapter examines the process whereby the animal protection movement interpreted and drew upon varied intellectual, moral and cultural resources in order to achieve its manifold objectives, participate in the ongoing re-creation of the current traditions of thought, and re-shape human-animal relations in wider society. Placing at its center of analysis the movement’s mediating power in relation to its surrounding traditions, Li’s original perspective uncovers the oft-ignored cultural work of the movement whilst restoring its agency in explaining social change. Looking forward, it points at the same time to the potential of all traditions, through ongoing mobilization, to effect change in the human-animal relations of the future. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvii Introduction: Mobilizing Traditions for Animals (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 1-20 Mobilizing the Christian Tradition: True Patriots and the Sacrificial Spirit of Christ (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 21-88 Mobilizing Political Traditions: We Want Justice, Not Charity (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 89-157 Mobilizing the Natural History Tradition: The Intelligent Dog and the Affectionate Spider (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 159-211 Mobilizing the Evolutionary Tradition: A Darwinian Revolution in Animal Ethics? (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 213-266 Mobilizing Literary Traditions: “The Ultimate Word Will Be Spoken…by the Heart” (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 267-330 Final Reflections (Chien-hui Li)....Pages 331-339 Back Matter ....Pages 341-355