Religious Studies

Petra Stapp

My title is 'Animal Encounters In Contemporary Western Culture: Towards a better theory.'

The research involves the qualitative approach to the experiences that people, here in the West, have with regards to animals.  The dominant Western view of animals rests within the Cartesian and Judaeo-Christian model of animals as resources or automata.  When people have experiences of animals that challenge this world view their experiences are often explained away or ignored as erroneous.  Using a phenomenological approach to these experiences it is hoped to show that the dominant models are inappropriate for evaluating these encounters.  A better theory will involve allowing these experiences to 'speak' and have meaning in our society without trying to 'reduce' them to explanations.

Religious Studies, School of European Culture and Languages, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF

Enquiries: +44 (0)1227 827159 or email Religious Studies

Last Updated: 12/10/2011