BOOK REVIEW
Theory of Mind
Sanjida O'Connell
Black Swan, London, 1996, £6.99
A common feature of human rights and liberation movements has been the production of exploratory works of art, fiction and drama. Campaigns for fair treatment for humans are now underpinned by a wealth of literature of personal experiences, ideas, creativeness and humour. Until recently, this avenue has been badly neglected by advocates of equality for other animals. But, as this book shows, things are beginning to change.
Theory of Mind is the unlikely and intriguing title of a novel. Written by former coordinator of the Great Ape Project-UK, Sanjida O'Connell, it tells of Sandra, a PhD student who is doing research on the emotions of chimpanzees. This involves devising experiments to try to establish whether chimpanzees attribute thoughts, beliefs and desires to other chimpanzees and to humans, i.e. do they have a theory of mind?
A lot of the events are set in the private zoo where the chimpanzees live, and provide worrying and amusing insights into the day-to-day running of the establishment. One hesitates to ask whether any of this is based on the author's personal experience. We are drawn to view the numerous characters, chimpanzee and human, in terms of their ability to feel empathy, or lack of it.
In this respect, Theory of Mind succeeds admirably. While reading it, I found myself seeing my own actions and those of the people around me in terms of empathy. Perhaps more directly than self-consciousness, empathy - entering into the thoughts, feelings and suffering of others - is intimately linked with the possibility of ethical behaviour.
Underpinned by striking descriptions and flashes of humour, the plot gradually takes us into some bizarre and disturbing areas. The destructive acts described are partly explicable by a lack of fellow-feeling, or they are committed by those who have a capacity for empathy but who fail to act on it.
This is an enjoyable, exciting read, providing plentiful food for thought for supporters of the Great Ape Project.
MG
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We demand the extension of the community of equals to include all great apes: human beings, chimpanzees, gorillas and orang-utans. The community of equals is the moral community within which we accept certain basic moral principles or rights as governing our relations with each other and enforceable at law. Among these principles or rights are the following:
1. The Right to Life
The lives of members of the community of equals are to be protected. Members of the community of equals may not be killed except in very strictly defined circumstances, for example, self-defence.
2. The Protection of Individual Liberty
Members of the community of equals are not to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty; if they should be imprisoned without due legal process, they have the right to immediate release. The detention of those who have not been convicted of any crime, or of those who are not criminally liable, should be allowed only where it can be shown to be for their own good, or necessary to protect the public from a member of the community who would clearly be a danger to others if at liberty. In such cases, members of the community of equals must have the right to appeal, either directly or, if they lack the relevant capacity, through an advocate, to a judicial tribunal.
3. The Prohibition of Torture
The deliberate infliction of severe pain on a member of the community of equals, either wantonly or for an alleged benefit to others, is regarded as torture, and is wrong.
I/We Endorse The Declaration on Great Apes (Please write clearly)
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