Whispers of Elephants: Elephant and Human Contact

Instructor:  Professor Raj Ramanathapillai
                 Department of Philosophy

This is a study of the philosophical issues that arise from elephant and human conflict and the effort to conserve elephant populations. Amid the disappearance of elephant habitats in Asia and Africa, the widespread deaths of elephants from development projects, poaching, guerilla warfare, and the struggle of elephant conservation initiatives to protect elephant populations, this course will explore philosophical issues related to the significance of elephants in traditional cultures, their spiritual and moral value, and their role in traditional economies. With particular attention to issues in elephant behavior, the nature of the complex social patterns of elephant groups, and the long training of young elephants in matriarchal herds, readings will explore different ways of envisioning elephants in relation to human life, debates over human and elephant conflict, and ethical and political issues that arise from efforts at elephant conservation.