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An adult chimpanzee sitting on grass in a forest with a young chimpanzee clinging to its arm while looking around.

Animals

idea

Chimpanzees correct cultural biases about how good mothers behave

A philosopher observes chimpanzee mothers and their infants interact, realising how cultural our ideals of motherhood are

by Maria Botero

Two ravens perched on a black railing at the Tower of London, with crowds and historic stone buildings in the background.

Animals

idea

A basic sense of numbers is shared by countless creatures

Birds, bees, cats and other animals have an ability to use numbers. How can this help us understand people with dyscalculia?

by Brian Butterworth

Silhouettes of people observing and photographing a beluga whale through an aquarium glass in a dimly lit blue environment.

Animals

idea

Human exceptionalism imposes horrible costs on other animals

We owe it to other animals and to ourselves to resist human exceptionalism. Accepting their inner lives is the first step

by Barbara J King

Illustration of animals in human clothing in a courtroom setting. A lion is the judge, and a man is questioning a donkey in the dock, surrounded by other animals.

Animals

idea

What our use of animal-based slurs and endearments says about us

The image of the adorable kitten and the insult of calling someone a ‘pussy’ have more in common than you might realise

by David Egan

An illustrated medieval courtroom with a sow and piglets on trial, people observing, and officials judging from a raised platform.

Animals

idea

If animals are persons, should they bear criminal responsibility?

Were medieval trials of animal criminals not a sign of backwardness, but in fact strangely progressive?

by Ed Simon

A large whale surfacing next to a boat with people in life jackets observing and taking photos on a clear day.

Nature and the environment

idea

Grey whales taught me how to mother, how to endure, how to live

When I was in crisis, grey whales taught me how to mother and how to endure, till I could find my own paths through change

by Doreen Cunningham

A fluffy chick facing a blue screen with scattered white dots.

Knowledge and reason

idea

Babies and chicks help solve one of psychology’s oldest puzzles

From the beginning of life, both humans and other species can grasp important characteristics of the world around them

by Giorgio Vallortigara

Photo of an earthworm on rough grey asphalt surface with visible texture and sunlight casting shadows.

Bioethics

idea

Why, in a universe of pain, I’m saving stranded earthworms

Any action can seem futile amid so much suffering. I’ve realised the important thing is to stop despairing and do something

by Claire E Schultz

A close-up of a vibrant green hummingbird in flight, with wings blurry and a blurred green background.

Nature and the environment

idea

A vast, thrilling world of nature unfolds outside of human time

Human life might stretch over decades, but the lifespans of many other organisms on this pale blue dot leave us in the dust

by Nicholas P Money

A monkey in a metal cage looking over its shoulder with a sad facial expression. The cage bars are prominent in the background.

Animals

idea

My cancer scars map the pain of animals held in research labs

The scars on my body are a constant reminder of why I’ve turned from scholarship on animals to agitating for animals

by Barbara J King

Two bonobos embracing in a lush, green forest setting. Both have dark fur and are looking towards the camera.

Animals

idea

Same-sex sexual behaviour in mammals evolved to keep the peace

Although these new findings can’t tell us much about human sexuality, they could help to solve an evolutionary paradox

by Shayla Love

Two children wearing jackets and a dog sit on a stone bench, facing the sea. One child has an arm around the dog.

Animals

idea

Be they friend or foe, animals share our blood and our planet

Human society is enmeshed with nonhuman animals: they are our kin and our fellow travellers on this planet we call home

by David P Barash