Humans and animals: Challenges in the relationship are the focus of the lecture

Humans and animals: Challenges in the relationship are the focus of the lecture

The University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H) is opening the public and free lecture series “Human-Animal Relationship Vol. 2 #govegan” on April 17, 2025. This lecture aims to discuss the challenges and possible solutions in the complex relationship between humans and animals. Loud uni-wh.de will be Prof. Dr. Jan Ehlers emphasize the growing importance of the human-animal relationship in the context of environmental awareness and climate protection. The lecture promises to provide a platform on which the diverse aspects of this relationship can be discussed, as Dr. Julia Nitsche explains.

The lecture series had 1,382 participants last semester, and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Theresa Sophie Busse hopes for even greater participation in the new round. A total of ten experts from various disciplines will provide insights and stimulate discussions to shed light on the connections between humans and animals.

Topics diverse and current

The topics of the lecture series are complex and offer a comprehensive view of human-animal relationships. Dr. Birgit Mennerich-Bunge will address the peaceful coexistence between wolves and humans, while Dr. Kathrin Herrmann will discuss the development of non-animal models (NAMs) to reduce animal testing. In addition, Prof. Dr. Achim D. Gruber shed light on the disease problem caused by breed breeding in dogs and cats.

As part of the interdisciplinary discussion, it is crucial to understand the historical and philosophical background of the human-animal relationship. Historical documents and literature show that these relationships are often characterized by power asymmetries, but friendly bonds also show that people can develop deep emotional connections with animals. bpb.de describes that in Greek philosophy and Christianity a fundamental separation between humans and animals is postulated, but this is challenged by zoological and ethological findings.

A look at ethics

The discussion about the human-animal relationship is inextricably linked to animal ethics. This is often viewed as the “stepchild of European ethics”, based on biblical and Greek traditions. Nevertheless, the development of modern ethics shows that animals are increasingly perceived as subjects with their own experiences. The idea that the treatment of animals also influences our relationship with people is reinforced by the brutalization argument. This argument is part of a broader debate about animal rights and welfare that has received more attention in recent years.

The influence of philosophers such as Peter Singer, who argued in his 1975 work “Animal Liberation” that animals should not be discriminated against, is reflected in the changing attitudes of society. The challenge of this new ethic is to address the different ways animals are valued in our society, as becomes clear when comparing pets and farm animals. slideserve.com addresses the fact that animal ethics also deals with questions about the conditions of keeping pets and the moral implications of animal experiments.

The UW/H lecture series ends on July 17, 2025 and offers a valuable opportunity to study the complex and often controversial aspects of the human-animal relationship. The weekly events, held on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., are free and accessible online. Participants who regularly take part in the lecture series receive a certificate that can be credited as an elective or for further training purposes.