Abstract

:This chapter from Vinciane Despret's book Être bête underscores the methodological considerations for the work as a whole, setting out a model for further ethological studies of farm animals. Or rather, with farm animals and with their farmers, because this pragmatic sociology is conscious of elaborating its knowledges and competences as it goes along. Neither the farmers’ knowledges nor the researchers’ theories are prioritized, but are mutually adjusted in a self-reflexive manner that seeks eventually to highlight the competences of animals in domestic or industrial farm settings. The fundamental question, “what is the difference between humans and animals?” does not remain a philosophical one, but becomes the basis for the more pragmatic question, often confronting for humans concerned, about to what extent the animals are willing co-workers in these industries