Critical anthropomorphism is an approach in the study of animal behavior that integrates scientific knowledge about a species, including its perceptual world, ecological context, and evolutionary history, to generate hypotheses through the lens of human intuition and understanding.
[1] Early ethologists like Nikolaas Tinbergen, Konrad Lorenz, and Karl von Frisch also considered the role of subjectivity in animal behavior research.
Early ethologists like Nikolaas Tinbergen, Konrad Lorenz, and Karl von Frisch also contributed to the foundation of critical anthropomorphism by considering the role of subjectivity in animal behavior research.
Overall, the historical roots of critical anthropomorphism are deeply intertwined with the development of ethology and the recognition of the importance of considering animals’ subjective experiences in understanding their behavior.
Researchers use their own feelings and perceptions, informed by scientific data, to make educated guesses about what animals might be experiencing or why they behave in certain ways.
[7] Critical anthropomorphism involves using human intuition and scientific knowledge to understand animal behavior, but it also raises important ethical considerations.
[3] These key figures and their works have significantly shaped the field of critical anthropomorphism, providing valuable insights into the subjective experiences and cognitive abilities of animals.