3,471
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Feature Articles

Egoistic Love of the Nonhuman World? Biology and the Love Paradox

ORCID Icon

References

  • Aaltola, E. (2012). Animal suffering: Philosophy and culture. Pagrave MacMillan.
  • Aaltola, E. (2015). Wilderness experiences as ethics: From elevation to attentiveness. Ethics, Policy & Environment, 18(3), 283–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/21550085.2015.1111614
  • Aaltola, E. (2018). Varieties of empathy: Moral psychology and animal ethics. Rowman & Littlefield Int.
  • Aaltola, E. (2019a). Love and animals: Simone Weil, Iris Murdoch and attention as love. In A. Martin (Ed.) Routledge Handbook of Love in Philosophy (pp. 193–204). London: Routledge.
  • Aaltola, E. (2019b). Häpeä ja rakkaus: ihmiseläinluonto. Helsinki: Into.
  • Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W. (2002). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: The truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64(5), 727–739. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000024236.11538.41
  • Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(10), 3947–3955. https://doi.org/10.1021/es903183r
  • Batt, S. (2009). Human attitudes towards animals in relation to species similarity to humans: A multivariate approach. Bioscience Horizons: The International Journal of Student Research, 2(2), 180–190. https://doi.org/10.1093/biohorizons/hzp021
  • Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
  • Berman, M. G., Kross, E., Krpan, K. M., Askren, M. K., Burson, A., Deldin, P. J., Kaplan, S., Sherdell, L., Gotlib, I. H., & Jonides, J. (2012). Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 140(3), 300–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2012.03.012
  • Berto, R. (2005). Exposure to restorative environments helps restore attentional capacity. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(3), 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2005.07.001
  • Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books.
  • Bradshaw, J. W. S., & Paul, E. S. (2010). Could empathy for animals have been an adaptation in the evolution of Homo? Animal Welfare, 19(SUPPL.1), 107–112.
  • Buss, D. M. (2019). The evolution of love in humans. In K. Sternberg & R. Sternberg (Eds.), The new psychology of love (pp. 42–63). Cambridge University Press.
  • Capaldi, C., Passmore, H.-A., Nisbet, E., Zelenski, J., & Dopko, R. (2015). Flourishing in nature: A review of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a wellbeing intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v5i4.449
  • Capaldi, C. A., Dopko, R. L., & Zelenski, J. M. (2014). The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 976. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00976
  • De Vries, S., Verheij, R. A., Groenewegen, P. P., & Spreeuwenberg, P. (2003). Natural environments—healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between greenspace and health. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, 35(10), 1717–1731. https://doi.org/10.1068/a35111
  • DeWall, C. N., & Bushman, B. J. (2011). Social acceptance and rejection: The sweet and the bitter. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(4), 256–260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721411417545
  • Dietrich, Z. C., Joye, S. W., & Garcia, J. A. (2015). Natural medicine: Wilderness experience outcomes for combat veterans. Journal of Experiential Education, 38(4), 394–406. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825915596431
  • Dowsett, E., Semmler, C., Bray, H., Ankeny, R. A., & Chur-Hansen, A. (2018). Neutralising the meat paradox: Cognitive dissonance, gender, and eating animals. Appetite, 123, 280–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.01.005
  • Earp, B. D., Sandberg, A., & Savulescu, J. (2015). The medicalization of love. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics : CQ : The International Journal of Healthcare Ethics Committees, 24(3), 323–336. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180114000206
  • Estren, M. J. (2012). The neoteny barrier: Seeking respect for the non-cute. Journal of Animal Ethics, 2(1), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.5406/janimalethics.2.1.0006
  • Ewert, A., Overholt, J., Voight, A., & Wang, C. C. (2011). Understanding the transformative aspects of the wilderness and protected lands experience upon human health. USDA Forest Service Proceedings, 1989, 140–146.
  • Ferraro, F. M. (2015). Enhancement of convergent creativity following a multiday wilderness experience. Ecopsychology, 7(1), 7–11. https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2014.0043
  • Fisher, H., Aron, A., & Brown, L. (2005). Romantic love: A fMRI study of a neural mechanism for mate choice. The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 493(493), 58–62. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.20772
  • Fletcher, G. J. O., Simpson, J. A., Campbell, L., & Overall, N. C. (2015). Pair-bonding, romantic love, and evolution: The curious case of Homo sapiens. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(1), 20–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614561683
  • Garrity, T., Stallones, L., Marx, M., & Johnson, T. (1989). Pet ownership and attachment as supportive factors in the health of the elderly. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of the Interactions of People & Animals, 3(1), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.2752/089279390787057829
  • Glocker, M., Langleben, D., Ruparel, K., Gur, R., & Sachser, N. (2009). Baby schema in infant faces induces cuteness perception and motivation for caretaking in adults. Ethology : Formerly Zeitschrift Fur Tierpsychologie, 115(3), 257–263. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01603.x
  • Gonzaga, G., & Haselton, M. (2008). The evolution of love and long-term bonds. In: J. Forgas & J. Fitness (Eds.), Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes (pp. 39–54). Psychology Press.
  • Gullone, E. (2000). The biophilia hypothesis and life in the 21st Century: Increasing mental health or increasing pathology? Journal of Happiness Studies, 1(3), 293–322. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010043827986
  • Hamilton, R. (2006). Love as a contested concept. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 36(3), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5914.2006.00306.x
  • Hartig, T., Evans, G. W., Jamner, L. D., Davis, D. S., & Gärling, T. (2003). Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23(2), 109–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00109-3
  • Haslanger, S. (2020). Going on, not in the same way. In A. Burgess, H. Cappelen, & D. Plunkett (Eds.), Conceptual engineering and conceptual ethics (pp. 230–260). Oxford Scholarship Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198801856.003.0012
  • Hawkins, R. D., & Williams, J. M. (2017). Childhood attachment to pets: Associations between pet attachment, attitudes to animals, compassion, and humane behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14050490
  • Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Romantic love conceptualised as an attachment process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52(3), 511–524. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.52.3.511
  • Hinds, J. (2011). Exploring the psychological rewards of a wilderness experience: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. The Humanistic Psychologist, 39(3), 189–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.2011.567132
  • Horta, O. (2010). Debunking the idyllic view of natural processes. Population dynamics and suffering in the wild. Télos: Revista Iberoamericana de Estudios Utilitaristas, 17(1), 73–88.
  • Hunt, M., Al-Awadi, H., & Johnson, M. (2008). Psychological sequelae of pet loss following Hurricane Katrina. Anthrozoös, 21(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.2752/175303708X305765
  • Hurlemann, R., & Scheele, D. (2016). Dissecting the role of oxytocin in the formation and loss of social relationships. Biological Psychiatry, 79(3), 185–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.05.013
  • Joye, Y., & De Block, A. (2011). “Nature and I are Two”: A critical examination of the biophilia hypothesis. Environmental Values, 20(2), 189–215. https://doi.org/10.3197/096327111X12997574391724
  • Kellert, S., & Wilson, E. (1995). The biophilia hypothesis. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 15(1), 52–53. https://doi.org/10.1177/027046769501500125
  • Kellert, S. R. (1993). Values and Perceptions of Invertebrates. Conservation Biology, 7(4), 845–855. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1993.740845.x
  • Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297
  • Kierkegaard, S. (2009). Works of Love. Harper.
  • Knight, A. (2008). “Bats, snakes and spiders, Oh my!” How aesthetic and negativistic attitudes, and other concepts predict support for species protection. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(1), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.001
  • Knight, S., & Edwards, V. (2008). In the company of wolves: The physical, social, and psychological benefits of dog ownership. Journal of Aging and Health, 20(4), 437–455. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264308315875
  • Kurdek, L. A. (2008). Pet dogs as attachment figures. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 25(2), 247–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407507087958
  • Levy, S. (2003). The biophilia hypothesis and anthropocentric environmentalism. Environmental Ethics, 25(3), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.5840/enviroethics200325316
  • Logan, A., & Selhub, E. (2013). Your brain on nature: become smarter, happier, and more productive, while protecting your brain health for life. Collins.
  • Loughnan, S., Bastian, B., & Haslam, N. (2014). The psychology of eating animals. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(2), 104–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414525781
  • Martens, P., Enders-Slegers, M.-J., & Walker, J. K. (2016). The emotional lives of companion animals: Attachment and subjective claims by owners of cats and dogs. Anthrozoös, 29(1), 73–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2015.1075299
  • McDonald, M. G., Wearing, S., & Ponting, J. (2009). The nature of peak experience in wilderness. The Humanistic Psychologist, 37(4), 370–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873260701828912
  • Mcmahan, E. A., & Estes, D. (2015). The effect of contact with natural environments on positive and negative affect : A meta-analysis. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10(July), 507–519. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.994224
  • Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2012). An attachment perspective on psychopathology. World Psychiatry : Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 11(1), 11–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wpsyc.2012.01.003
  • Mitchell, R. (2001). Americans’ talk to dogs: Similarities and differences with talk to infants. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 34(2), 183–210. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327973RLSI34-2_2
  • Murdoch, I. (2003). Metaphysics as a guide to morals. Vintage.
  • Nagasawa, M. et. al. 2015. Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds. Science 348(6232), 333–336.
  • Nagasawa, M., Mogi, K., & Kikusui, T. (2009). Attachment between humans and dogs. Japanese Psychological Research, 51(3), 209–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5884.2009.00402.x
  • Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2008). The nature relatedness scale: Linking individuals’ connection with nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41(5), 715–740. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916508318748
  • Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2011). Happiness is in our nature: Exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(2), 303–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-010-9197-7
  • Nussbaum, M. (1990). Love’s knowledge: Essays on philosophy and literature. Oxford University Press.
  • Odendaal, J., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-0233(02)00237-X
  • Pasanen, T. P., Tyrväinen, L., & Korpela, K. M. (2014). The relationship between perceived health and physical activity indoors, outdoors in built environments, and outdoors in nature. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 6(3), 324–346. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12031
  • Pierce, J. (2012). The last walk: Reflections on our pets at the end of their lives. University of Chicago Press.
  • Plous, S. (1993). Psychological mechanisms in the human use of animals. Journal of Social Issues, 49(1), 11–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1993.tb00907.x
  • Prato-Previde, E., Custance, D., Spiezio, C., & Sabatini, F. (2003). Is the dog-human relationship an attachment bond? An observational study using Ainsworth’s strange situation. Behaviour, 140(2), 225–254. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853903321671514
  • Prato-Previde, E., Fallani, G., & Valsecchi, P. (2006). Gender differences in owners interacting with pet dogs: An observational study. Ethology, 112(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2006.01123.x
  • Pretty, J. (2004). How nature contributes to mental and physical health. Spirituality and Health International, 5(2), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1002/shi.220
  • Prinz, J. (2006). The emotional basis of moral judgments. Philosophical Explorations, 9(1), 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/13869790500492466
  • Ricoeur, P. (1995). Love and Justice. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 21(5), 23–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453795021005-604
  • Ryan, R. M., Weinstein, N., Bernstein, J., Brown, K. W., Mistretta, L., & Gagné, M. (2010). Vitalizing effects of being outdoors and in nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(2), 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.10.009
  • Sable, P. (2013). The pet connection: An attachment perspective. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(1), 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-012-0405-2
  • Siegel, J. (1990). Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The moderating role of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 58(6), 1081–1086. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.58.6.1081
  • Smuts, A. (2014). Normative reasons for love. Philosophy Compass, 9(8), 518–526. https://doi.org/10.1111/phc3.12160
  • Soble, A. (1989). Analysing Love. Philosophy and Social Science, 19(4), 493–500. https://doi.org/10.1177/004839318901900406
  • Stigsdotter, U., Ekholm, O., Schipperijn, J., Toftager, M., Kamper-Jørgensen, F., & Randrup, T. (2010). Health promoting outdoor environments - Associations between green space, and health, health-related quality of life and stress based on a Danish national representative survey. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 38(4), 411–417. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494810367468
  • Su, H. (2015). Constant connection as the media condition of love: Where bonds become bondage. Media, Culture & Society, 38(2), 232–247. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443715594037
  • Trimble, M. J., & Van Aarde, R. J. (2010). Species Inequality in Scientific Study. Conservation Biology, 24(3), 886–890. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01453.x
  • Van Herzele, A., & de Vries, S. (2012). Linking green space to health: A comparative study of two urban neighbourhoods in Ghent, Belgium. Population and Environment, 34(2), 171–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-011-0153-1
  • White, M. P., Alcock, I., Wheeler, B. W., & Depledge, M. H. (2013). Would you be happier living in a greener urban area? A fixed-effects analysis of panel data. Psychological Science, 24(6), 920–928. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612464659
  • Williams, K., & Harvey, D. (2001). Transcendent experience in forest environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21(3), 249–260. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.2001.0204
  • Wilson, O. E. (1984). Biophilia. Harvard University Press.
  • Woods, M. (2017). Rethinking wilderness. Broadview Press.
  • Zeki, S. (2007). The neurobiology of love. FEBS Letters, 581(14), 2575–2579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2007.03.094
  • Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. (2011a). Pet in the therapy room: An attachment perspective on animal-assisted therapy. Attachment & Human Development, 13, 541–561. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2011.608987
  • Zilcha-Mano, S., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2011b). An attachment perspective on human–pet relationships: Conceptualization and assessment of pet attachment orientations. Journal of Research in Personality, 45(4), 345–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2011.04.001