Tuesday, September 28, 2004
It's All About the Benji's
Hi ya! Certain discussions over the last few days have led me to realize that just about everyone I know has a pet. I, unfortunately, am not allowed to have one. My friends have dogs, fish, and cats. All of this reminds me that I miss my pet rabbit, Chewie, very much.
My landlord (well, 2 landlords ago) made me get rid of him, stating that no pets were allowed in the apartment complex. Chewie was a great pet (when he wasn’t chewing on things, which is how he got his name): He was litter trained, he was quiet, and he ate his vegetables (grin). One of my greatest incentives to buy a house someday is so that I can have a pet. I would love to have a beagle, and I already have a name for it (if it’s a boy); Darwin.
What is it about pets that make us want and adore them so much? The easy answer is companionship. Being another species, it is a spurious companionship at best, but it is still fulfilling. Another popular response is that we have an instinct to nurture something, anything that is dependant on us for survival. This is closer to the truth, I think, but as far as I know, most pets did just fine in the wild before domestication. As pointed out in Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” (and the movie based on it, Blade Runner), humanity is often defined by the degree of empathy and compassion we exhibit. So this empathy, this need to reach out and maintain the life of another creature may be a feature of our very humanity.
To find the true reason, we need to step back and consider what we know about biology. If we are to believe that our psychological functions have a root in physiological and chemical processes, then we have to also assume that these functions have a root in evolution (or, as a nod to my Creationist friends, a root in intelligent design). What sort of events would select in favor of wanting to live with pets? What purpose would this relationship with animals serve?
At first, it seems to go counter to the rule of energetics. The rule is this: do what you must in the most energy efficient way possible. (This is the short answer for why there aren’t mammals bigger than elephants, and why humans only have one knee on each leg). Energetics would say that nurturing and supporting an animal as a surrogate family member is bad. You are spending precious time, ATP, and resources on another being not directly involved in the transmittance of your genetic material.
But there is an upside to having pets. If you have a big enough dog, it can serve as protection. In a more subtle way, pets also help us maintain a sense of responsibility. There are many documented cases of tribal rituals that function in this same way. Many North American Natives had festivals that required a great deal of productivity. This served to keep the common man working hard and with purpose. Likewise, in ancient Japan, the Emperor expected members of the ruling class to travel regularly to the capital. This was put into place to be a financial burden on the shoguns so that they may not amass too much wealth (traveling in a large “van,” or party, was very costly. For this reason, Japan established a system of public houses/inns). This forced redistribution of wealth not only helped the economy, but it assured that no family would gather power to oppose the Emperor.
Pets may work in this way too. They keep our minds sharp and keep us busy. We can’t ignore their needs, or they will get sick, maybe even die. We have to make sure that there are safe quarters for our pets, and that there is always food and clean water. And it is this set of responsibilities that researchers laud. You see, as it turns out, owning a pet is very good for your emotional health, even into your golden years. Many studies on the elderly population show that there is a small correlation in spryness and pet ownership. Morale in nursing homes is likewise bolstered by being visited by pets (trained to be on their best behavior, of course).
So whether it is for unconditional love, a need to nurture (sort of like practicing parenthood), or if just to keep us on our toes, pets seem to be a feature favored by our evolved mind (or at least not selected against), even if at first it seems to go contrary to energetic norms. It could even be that, as the book of Genesis hints, that we are to be stewards of animals because we need to have responsibility, and realize how precious the companionship of fellow humans really is (God used the fact that Adam could not find solace in animals as an object lesson to appreciate and love Eve, and to realize that man truly is a creature apart and above the rest of creation). The reason why we love pets may remain a mystery, or it may be revealed to be a learnt behavior and not biochemical at all.
Regardless of the reason why, nothing beats a playful kitty, a cuddly lap dog, or even the reassuring bubbling and fluid motion of a pet fish. So to all of you out there who “flaunt” your animals in front of me, I am soooo jealous!
See ya!
My landlord (well, 2 landlords ago) made me get rid of him, stating that no pets were allowed in the apartment complex. Chewie was a great pet (when he wasn’t chewing on things, which is how he got his name): He was litter trained, he was quiet, and he ate his vegetables (grin). One of my greatest incentives to buy a house someday is so that I can have a pet. I would love to have a beagle, and I already have a name for it (if it’s a boy); Darwin.
What is it about pets that make us want and adore them so much? The easy answer is companionship. Being another species, it is a spurious companionship at best, but it is still fulfilling. Another popular response is that we have an instinct to nurture something, anything that is dependant on us for survival. This is closer to the truth, I think, but as far as I know, most pets did just fine in the wild before domestication. As pointed out in Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” (and the movie based on it, Blade Runner), humanity is often defined by the degree of empathy and compassion we exhibit. So this empathy, this need to reach out and maintain the life of another creature may be a feature of our very humanity.
To find the true reason, we need to step back and consider what we know about biology. If we are to believe that our psychological functions have a root in physiological and chemical processes, then we have to also assume that these functions have a root in evolution (or, as a nod to my Creationist friends, a root in intelligent design). What sort of events would select in favor of wanting to live with pets? What purpose would this relationship with animals serve?
At first, it seems to go counter to the rule of energetics. The rule is this: do what you must in the most energy efficient way possible. (This is the short answer for why there aren’t mammals bigger than elephants, and why humans only have one knee on each leg). Energetics would say that nurturing and supporting an animal as a surrogate family member is bad. You are spending precious time, ATP, and resources on another being not directly involved in the transmittance of your genetic material.
But there is an upside to having pets. If you have a big enough dog, it can serve as protection. In a more subtle way, pets also help us maintain a sense of responsibility. There are many documented cases of tribal rituals that function in this same way. Many North American Natives had festivals that required a great deal of productivity. This served to keep the common man working hard and with purpose. Likewise, in ancient Japan, the Emperor expected members of the ruling class to travel regularly to the capital. This was put into place to be a financial burden on the shoguns so that they may not amass too much wealth (traveling in a large “van,” or party, was very costly. For this reason, Japan established a system of public houses/inns). This forced redistribution of wealth not only helped the economy, but it assured that no family would gather power to oppose the Emperor.
Pets may work in this way too. They keep our minds sharp and keep us busy. We can’t ignore their needs, or they will get sick, maybe even die. We have to make sure that there are safe quarters for our pets, and that there is always food and clean water. And it is this set of responsibilities that researchers laud. You see, as it turns out, owning a pet is very good for your emotional health, even into your golden years. Many studies on the elderly population show that there is a small correlation in spryness and pet ownership. Morale in nursing homes is likewise bolstered by being visited by pets (trained to be on their best behavior, of course).
So whether it is for unconditional love, a need to nurture (sort of like practicing parenthood), or if just to keep us on our toes, pets seem to be a feature favored by our evolved mind (or at least not selected against), even if at first it seems to go contrary to energetic norms. It could even be that, as the book of Genesis hints, that we are to be stewards of animals because we need to have responsibility, and realize how precious the companionship of fellow humans really is (God used the fact that Adam could not find solace in animals as an object lesson to appreciate and love Eve, and to realize that man truly is a creature apart and above the rest of creation). The reason why we love pets may remain a mystery, or it may be revealed to be a learnt behavior and not biochemical at all.
Regardless of the reason why, nothing beats a playful kitty, a cuddly lap dog, or even the reassuring bubbling and fluid motion of a pet fish. So to all of you out there who “flaunt” your animals in front of me, I am soooo jealous!
See ya!
Comments:
Emilee & Ken have 2 Beagles. I had the joy of "meeting them" this Summer. Too cool. Having my puppy is a joy & burden for sure. Yesterday I was having a crap day, so when I got home it was awesome to have her jump into my arms and lick me. The burden is well worth it, but I realize I'm not sure if kids are in the books after having the responsibility of a pet. ;)
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