Jeremy Rifkin A Change Of Heart About Animals Summary

In the article titled "A Change of Heart About Animals," (2003), author Jeremy Rifkin addresses that contrary to previous research and discovery, new breakthroughs in science are finding that animals are more comparable to humans than we once thought, and as a result, human empathy should be extended towards them. Rifkin supports his claim by providing numerous examples of studies that show capabilities of animals to make tools (crows), develop complex language skills (Gorilla), and present signs of self-awareness (Orangutan); things once believed only to be human characteristics (Rifkin 7, 8, 10). The author's purpose is to inform and convince the readers that empathy should be inclusive to all animals by providing a multitude of studies,

For instance, Rifkin establishes the individuality of each animal by identifying them with human names—Abel and Betty the crows, KoKo the gorilla, and Chantek the Orangutan. Rifkin could have excluded the names of the animals for they were likely randomly assigned, but he did not in order to connect the readers to the subjects. He furthers the relation by showing the audience the different classifications of human traits that animals exhibit—Betty was able to fashion a hook with her beak in order to obtain a morsel of food from a tube. Koko mastered over 1,000 signs in American Sign Language and understands several thousand English words while Chantek uses a mirror to floss his teeth. Rather than using a more pleasant terminology, Rifkin turns toward a negative use of language and connotation towards the end of the article, writing with words such as slaughter, inhumane, and caged (15). As a result of the comparison of likeness of humans and animals, the audience is compelled to sympathize with the animals, augmenting the persuasiveness of the author's

For example, he states that " philosophers and behaviorists have long argued that animals are not capable of self-awareness because they lack individualism" (Rifkin 10). To rebut, Rifkin continues by providing new research that reveal that animals are indeed capable of self-awareness and individualism; referencing orangutans who were given mirrors to explore their body parts at the Washington National Zoo, as well as Chantek at the Atlanta Zoo, who is capable of using his reflection to groom his teeth and adjust his glasses (10). By pointing out the weakness in the proposed objections towards his claim, Rifkin is able to gain credibility with the audience by showing that he is not biased on just one side of the argument, but rather knowledgeable on the subject in its