tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post7082237003015077518..comments2024-03-27T13:22:58.455-07:00Comments on Eye on the Edge: A lesson in ethicsDJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-10103929205419060142012-03-12T04:31:00.694-07:002012-03-12T04:31:00.694-07:00I think our ethical behaviour is something we have...I think our ethical behaviour is something we have learnt and isn't hardwired into our brains (or genetic makeup). I think it's a sign of growth in the human civilisation, a step above the law of the jungle. And so we can sometimes be shocked, surprised, ashamed when some of our more "animal" instincts surface... I don't know if I'm making sense here...CrazyCrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240982215608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-43639781034478858082012-03-08T08:40:57.650-08:002012-03-08T08:40:57.650-08:00I want to believe nature is pure too. I've ne...I want to believe nature is pure too. I've never heard of cowbirds. That is soooo interesting. I'll have to tell my girls about them. Sky (the Hippie) really loves birds ;)Crazy Life of a Writing Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064939499412649850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-33738266383267075012012-03-08T06:44:48.795-08:002012-03-08T06:44:48.795-08:00Dear DJan,
Thank you for struggling with this ques...Dear DJan,<br />Thank you for struggling with this question of ethics and our response to the sufferings of others--both humans and animals. I stand with your thoughts and feelings and conclusions. <br /><br />It has been difficult for me to see or to hear about human cruelty to other humans and to animals. And now to learn about the cowbird. Well, let's say I was floored by what you posted.<br /><br />And so, like you, I make the same conclusion about trying to find some meaning in suffering.<br /><br />You certainly always get my noggin working! Thank you.<br /><br />Peace.Dee Readyhttp://www.cominghometomyself.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-71898152176823433982012-03-07T21:56:27.165-08:002012-03-07T21:56:27.165-08:00We have a wildlife habitat in our yard, but I'...We have a wildlife habitat in our yard, but I'm quite ignorant about what goes on out there. I have mixed feelings about letting my cat out; I'm fairly certain she would be unsuccessful stalking a bird unless it was sick or injured. Oddly, though, she leaves the neighbors' chickens along.Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-87566875292145091402012-03-06T01:29:43.705-08:002012-03-06T01:29:43.705-08:00Wow...interesting post. I never even heard of Cow...Wow...interesting post. I never even heard of Cowbirds...I used to encourage birds to feed and visit when I lived in CA, but not here...we still get them...I have no idea what kind they are...one type bird builds a nest in the Arizona Rosewood in my side yard. If I get near the bush, be it cleaning up after our dog or walking on the outside of the fence, the bird attacks me! Swoops down on me and dive bombs me...not just me, but others who happen to walk by with their dogs...<br /><br />I have a bird bath and fill it for them to drink or cool off in the summer...and they also eat the Pyragantha berries...but they land on our patio furniture and poop all over everything!<br /><br />We have Doves and Quail. The Dove sit on top of our roof and coo...and the Quail and their babies peep and do Conga lines all over our front patio....<br /><br />We also have Hawks and Falcons which have been known to pick up small dogs and cats! There are huge Crows too...Donna B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07015770616281528620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-82119379752667658752012-03-05T21:10:33.462-08:002012-03-05T21:10:33.462-08:00Interesting post, in that it brought up several is...Interesting post, in that it brought up several issues I'm not aware of. I haven't heard of a salmonella outbreak in our area, yet. And, I've been completely ignorant of cowbirds! I am going to look them up as soon as I finish this comment!<br /><br />I haven't noticed any ill birds around my house, but there are a lot of them. I'm going to watch and see about the cowbirds, as everyone else seems familiar with them!Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923693784234135636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-12137008832885663992012-03-04T19:06:16.125-08:002012-03-04T19:06:16.125-08:00Nature is ruthless and merciless, but it is with e...Nature is ruthless and merciless, but it is with ethics that we humans try to separate ourselves from nature. Not all people see a need for any sort of ethical behavior though and survival of the fitness seems to rule our behavior also. It's too bad we depend on religion to dictate our ethics rather than an idea like the categorical imperative.Rubye Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02511953177053448513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-86765096157355929042012-03-04T18:31:01.024-08:002012-03-04T18:31:01.024-08:00What's the saying, "Power corrupts."...What's the saying, "Power corrupts." So many humans who cut the corners cheat, are mean are those competing for power and wealth.<br /> Sorry to tell you that here are other parasitic bird species around the world <br /> However sitting there watching one of these little critters lose the battle is rather unsettling.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17996243850279671523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-50424330719664782792012-03-04T14:40:00.307-08:002012-03-04T14:40:00.307-08:00Survival of the fittest? Members of the animal ki...Survival of the fittest? Members of the animal kingdom (we humans are members) have always caused suffering to others. Take sports like boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, for example. Why do humans think it's entertaining to watch people being hurt? Think of the early Christians cowering in the lions den and the early Romans jeering at them. Is that why we call it the Animal Instinct?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-5949509910977276702012-03-04T13:35:34.173-08:002012-03-04T13:35:34.173-08:00Even chimpanzees kill other species of monkeys and...Even chimpanzees kill other species of monkeys and will fight with intent to inflict deadly injuries with themselves sometimes. Animals are constantly killing each other for food or just to survive. I have wondered, too, are human morals are just something taught to keep our own animal natures in check or are they something innately born within us? I would like to think the latter.<br /><br />Cowbirds have always bothered me, too. But I have wondered if it isn't because, as human beings, we are the biggest parasite on earth?<br /><br />Fascinating post, Djan. Seems like we ponder a lot of the same questions. ;)Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02043285884495492598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-38824770184513609562012-03-04T10:39:12.148-08:002012-03-04T10:39:12.148-08:00Nature is based on food chains, so I rarely hate o...Nature is based on food chains, so I rarely hate one creature for preying on another. But like you, I still grieve for the one that suffers. We stopped letting our cats out when we realized they were killing songbirds. We keep the feeders full, and once in a while (especially when the sparrows are passing through) a bird crashes into the window. And then there are the eagles, which I love but which, as Far Side notes, can prey on well-loved little dogs. Just remembered that in some philosophy class I was taught that Natural Law is just the way things are; its rules will be followed no matter what we intend. Moral Law (?) governs human activity. Hmm, wonder whether I can find any old notes.Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17223278142557533175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-86498364023995435842012-03-04T10:31:26.008-08:002012-03-04T10:31:26.008-08:00Oddly, the cowbird is not an unattractive bird, in...Oddly, the cowbird is not an unattractive bird, in fact I think they are quite handsome. I hate their parenting skills but not the bird. However, before breeding season, I do not put any feed out for I have found they are little piglets at the feeding dishes. At least if I don't feed them, I am not enabling them.<br />Thank you so much for your words of comfort and understanding. I am sorry that you have also been there.Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-19775574633053757972012-03-04T09:11:03.362-08:002012-03-04T09:11:03.362-08:00Believing I have no control over the animals or th...Believing I have no control over the animals or the weather or the plants keeps my thoughts in perspective. I believe I am connected to nature, we are all connected. But I am powerless over it all. I do what I think is okay to do, to participate without interfering in the natural instincts and needs of nature. I will never understand the why but I can appreciate the what. In the past three years I have been privileged to watch birds and animals up close like never before. I am grateful for this. Maybe this is enough. At least for me.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02466038341689494316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-5829553131157942922012-03-04T09:01:30.115-08:002012-03-04T09:01:30.115-08:00I learned about the cowbirds from some camping fri...I learned about the cowbirds from some camping friends, and was still left confused over whether to 'hate' them, or just accept nature's arrangement. I've had my own ethical dilemma, when we've stopped our cat from killing a bird. We see what's happening, jump up to intervene, yelling 'Bad Cat!' to jar him into dropping his prey, then 'rescue' the bird and set it free if it's able to fly. The cat is just following his instinct, and has doubtless got away with it hundreds of times when we're not around. Perhaps the birds it catches are weak or inferior in some way, and the cat is just acting as a catalyst (no pun intended) to a certain death. Perhaps the bird is just unlucky?<br />I do wonder about our well-meaing interventions; are they right or wrong?Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11305293775583665402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197597102880101691.post-76829758335109255462012-03-04T07:17:55.856-08:002012-03-04T07:17:55.856-08:00I, too, used to dislike cowbirds for what they do....I, too, used to dislike cowbirds for what they do. They have been doing it for a very long time without my fixing, though, and so far haven't wiped out any other species. <br />Last summer I found a robin's nest on the ground, where it had blown out of the maple tree. The babies were dead, of course, looking like tiny yellow reptiles. My heart broke for a while. <br />There's a plan for this kind of thing though. Maybe that robin won't have babies that grow up to put nests in spots that are vulnerable to wind.<br />Big questions you ponder today, and this is no answer, just evidence that I ponder them as well.<br />Thank goodness we don't have to manage the whole natural world!Junehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710135137635433217noreply@blogger.com