Analysis Of Miklosi´s The Science Of Friendship

Four-Legged Friends The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that positively influences the health and well-being of both. It is widely believed that people have an emotional need to connect with animals and that it is of great health benefits for one to develop relationships with animals. Using information about how society formally defines friendship, is there enough evidence to prove or disprove a human-animal relationship as a formal friendship? According to the great philosopher, Aristotle, friendship can be divided into three main categories: utility, pleasure, and virtue. Those whose friendship is based primarily on utility will only find their friend appealing when they are

Research has shown that dogs have been able to adjust smoothly to family life because of their attentiveness and their sensitivity to human mode of communication and emotional behavior (Miklosi n. pag). Dogs tend to express their feelings through vocalization, just as humans do and react to the subtle speech and cries of humans showing an ability to relate and communicate with the pet’s owner. Images of brain activity in humans and dogs show striking parallels in how each species encodes the emotional content of the other’s vocalization (Miklosi n. pag).“The Science of a Friendship” discusses a study of the ability of dogs to exhibit each of the components of social competence which includes the ability to form attachments, regulate aggression, and learn to follow rules, provide assistance, and participate in various group activities (Miklosi n. pag). Dogs were observed in a series of settings in which the pet was put into a social situation with other dogs and their owner close by. In every situation, the dog stayed close to its owner. This is because the relationship formed between the human and dog caused an attachment to the owner. The strong bond also facilitates behavioral and emotional synchronization. The ability for dogs to develop such human like relationships with

A slave’s life is that of the master’s. The master does not see them as equal nor does he view their relationship as a friendship. A master may want well for their slave but that is not their primary drive behind the relationship. The primary drive behind this type of relationship is utility and getting something out of the inferior that will benefit the superior. Many people view a human-animal relationship as a utilitarian relationship for this reason. It is often viewed as an unequal friendship in which the merit of the friends differs so much that their relationship is more parasitic rather than egalitarian. The human and animal get different gains in the relationship. Pets get vital necessities and if their owner is willing, play and exercise while humans gain a companion and pleasure. Many would argue that this then sounds more like a pleasure seeking relationship or utilitarian relationship as opposed to a virtuous friendship. Traditionalists tend to believe that animals do not display the same level of consciousness as humans because they are unable to share their beliefs, desires, and point of view the same way as humans (13). In Stephen Clark’s, “I Knew him by his Voice”, he shares an example of seeing a child pull the wings off of a butterfly because