*...As our knowledge of living Nature deepens, we may find that those aspects of ourselves, which we take to be most distinctly human, may in fact be regarded as 'an extension and refinement of animal abilities.'...*

If I had read this article backwards it may have made more sense.
Me, myself and I, long ago conspired with each other to stick firmly with the theory of "KISS". ( are you reading this Peter Sellick)?

The author nailed the problem of overthinking, with the above quote lifted from the article. Even animals themselves have morality. I've observed it in nature.

Unfortunately, humans don't often ascribe intelligence to the creatures of the animal kingdom, preferring to elevate their own stupid self serving insignificance, above all creatures.

Dan

Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone were to give the Sam Ben-Meir of this world something useful to do as a day job. Cleaning out drains comes to mind.

Then taxpayers could perhaps not be expected to fund this rubbish.

Animals have no coherent rights save those we confer on them! Which include the elimination of cruelty to dumb animals and grunts.

That said trespassers have far fewer right and ought to consider their personal welfare when trespassing on open range or supposed farmland. Which may well be a shooting practice range or vermin eradication action and by invitation only!?

Time these politically inspired ideologues and assorted nut jobs were put back in their box! And save their activities for lawful peaceful protest. Which may well inspire far more sympathy for their dictatorial position than midnight raids on private property?

One wonders how they'd react if it was their place of business or private domiciles that were being vandalised and their rights trampled as if non-existent? How they then would holler Uncle? As Assange is now doing?
Alan B.

Book review:

Simplicius Simplicissimus (second book), On war, animal trespass and freedom of assembly, ( behind barbed wire).

The suffering could never be truely understood, until an eye witness account (assumed authentic), by Simplicius Simplicissimus, of the atrocities committed by animals against an arch enemy “wise man”.

The recounting of the brown bear feasting on the brains of an infant, graphic accounts of sharks feeding frenzy, gorging the human remains of passengers from an overturned ferry.

Trampling by mad elephants; whole families crushed under the stampeding hooves of buffalo, and the total ignorance of the Catholic Church, its unwillingness to cooperate in mass-hysteria, and a selfish desire to confine a caring God to the Vatican, in support of its war against reformation…with sketches.

diver dan,
I know quite a lot of people who'd have no trouble behaving like those animals you described, if they could get away with it.

Next we will be giving sheep the vote?

They will probably be labor voters.