WBI Studies Repository (WellBeing International)
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An individuals-oriented approach to conservation
Get PDFIndividual cognitive and emotional differences in personality among animals, along with differences in their behavioral traits, are increasingly important in conservation efforts. It is not only more effective but more ethical to take both collective and individual perspectives into account in both research and practice
Donald Griffin: A visionary in science and consciousness
Get PDFCarolyn Ristau’s (2024) timely biography reviews Donald Griffin’s pioneering ideas with depth and historical perspective, describing Griffin’s approach to science, his openness to interdisciplinary insights, and his bold stance on consciousness. Ristau’s work highlights Griffin’s relevance to contemporary debates on consciousness and natural selection
To be conscious or not to be
Get PDFCarolyn Ristau has done a fine job summarizing the work and life of the zoologist Donald Griffin. Most scientists now accept the existence of animal sentience, but identifying which species possess consciousness remains controversial. Griffin defined consciousness as the subjective state of feeling or thinking about objects and events.” Nonconscious processes are faster and more energy-efficient, however, and often drive behavior. Consciousness probably evolved for complex decision-making, shaped by evolutionary continuity, with feelings as a common currency for evaluating outcomes. Its survival advantage may be limited, and its presence across species varies depending on evolutionary trajectories
Précis of: Birds, Bats and Minds: Tales of a Revolutionary Scientist, Donald R. Griffin
Get PDFDonald Griffin co-discovered bat sonar and founded the field of echolocation. He studied bird migration and founded Cognitive Ethology, the study of animal awareness and mental experiences. In all these endeavors, he faced hostile opposition. The biography (Ristau 2024) examines Griffin\u27s life and the scientific explorations by him and others in these fields. This Précis emphasizes his arguments and supporting evidence for animal consciousness as well as his later research. Griffin considered the inhibiting assumptions made by scientists, including Cartesian views, the misunderstanding of innate behaviors, prejudice against lower animals, concern with violations of parsimony, and the assertions of the philosopher Thomas Nagel about “inaccessible” science. Griffin proposed ways to gather evidence supporting animal consciousness: (1) neural correlates of consciousness, (2) the versatility of animal behavior in meeting novel challenges and (3) animal communication, which Griffin considered a potential “window” on animal minds. He pondered what is a truly neutral hypothesis about animal mental experience? What is it like to be a particular animal? and how can we gather evidence to answer that question
Animals in Conflict – Part 1: Conscripts and Victims
Get PDFAnimals are often overlooked victims in war, suffering abuse, injury, and death alongside human combatants. Explore the roles animals have played in warfare, the impact on wildlife and companion animals, and the urgent need for better protections for these vulnerable populations
Animals in Conflict – Part II: Animal Protection Organizations; Conflict and Disaster Response Work
Get PDFAnimals were commonly overlooked in disaster responses in the 20th century but that is changing in the 21st
The Blue Zones, Well-being and Feeling Better
Get PDFThe Blue Zone concept has emerged from studies of communities with large numbers of healthy centenarians
Do Lists Improve Animal Protection?
Get PDFSeveral organizations have developed lists to monitor positive developments in animal protection
Complexities of consistent individual behavioral differences in effective wildlife management
Get PDFThe study of animal personality, or consistent individual behavioral differences, has faced numerous challenges since its inception, including terminological disputes, labor-intensive methodologies, and notable retractions. This commentary explores the mechanisms behind personality traits, questioning the link between personality and sentience, and highlights the bias towards megafauna in wildlife management. It underscores the ecological and ethical significance of considering arthropod personalities and the complexities of integrating personality into wildlife reintroductions. Caution is advised in generalizing personality effects, and the limitations of current measurement techniques are discussed, suggesting that personality traits should be one of many factors in comprehensive management strategies
Individuality matters but its cause has consequences
Get PDFI discuss the relationship between individuality and heritability and note that the mechanism driving individual differences matters for conservation and management outcomes