Surreal illustration of animals in social interactions, symbolizing their complex social lives.

Beyond Human-Centric Views: How Understanding Animal Perspectives Can Reshape Our World

Lena Kashyap in Culture & Society August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Exploring Ethnographic Approaches to Uncover the Hidden Lives and Social Dynamics of Animals"

For years, the study of animals, particularly within anthropology, has often been viewed through a human lens. Early research focused on primate studies, like those of Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, highlighting the challenges of understanding animals' lives and perspectives.

Inspired by feminist primate researchers and a desire to move beyond purely quantitative data, there's a growing movement to use sociocultural methods to study animals. This approach aims to present animal relationships in a multifaceted and qualitative way.

Today, with increased attention to animals and human-animal relations, scholars are challenging anthropocentric views. This involves recognizing animals as worthy of study and considering the ethical and political implications of our interactions with them.

Why Shift to Animal-Centric Research?

Surreal illustration of animals in social interactions, symbolizing their complex social lives.

Traditional social sciences and humanities often focus on human activities, with animals serving as secondary figures. However, a growing number of scholars argue for recognizing animals not only as subjects of scholarly inquiry but also as deserving of greater ethical and political consideration.

Multispecies ethnography has emerged as a method to situate other species within the studies of human activity. This approach acknowledges that early ethnographies often included other species by recognizing their livelihoods, lifeways, and cosmologies.

Holistic Understanding: Gain a more comprehensive view of social and cultural dynamics by including animal perspectives.
Ethical Implications: Promote ethical practices within and beyond academic settings by recognizing animal sentience and social complexity.
Multispecies Futures: Work towards a more just and equitable world for all species by understanding their unique experiences and needs.

Despite the complexities, animal-centric research offers an opportunity to deepen our understanding of animals, promote ethical practices, and envision more just multispecies futures. It challenges us to move beyond human-centric views and recognize animals as active participants in our shared world.

The Future of Animal-Focused Research

The most challenging subjects of all are those animals in North America and beyond that are not afforded the basic elements of social life and are not allowed to be, let alone become, or become with anyone. They inspire us to think more carefully and with more care, to reflect on the implications of who we deem worthy, the questions we ask, how we answer them, and what we do with the answers.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

Why is there a growing emphasis on shifting from human-centric views to animal-centric research, especially in fields like anthropology?

The shift towards animal-centric research is driven by a desire to recognize animals as subjects worthy of scholarly inquiry and deserving of greater ethical and political consideration, moving beyond traditional social sciences and humanities that primarily focus on human activities. This approach enriches our understanding of social and cultural dynamics by including animal perspectives and promotes more ethical practices that acknowledge animal sentience and social complexity. Early research was predominately focused on human views, however researchers like Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall highlighted the importance of animal perspectives. It challenges anthropocentric views that have historically dominated the study of animals.

How does multispecies ethnography contribute to understanding the relationships between humans and animals?

Multispecies ethnography situates other species within the studies of human activity, acknowledging that early ethnographies often included other species by recognizing their livelihoods, lifeways, and cosmologies. It provides a method to study the intricate relationships and interactions between humans and animals, recognizing animals as active participants in our shared world. Multispecies ethnography connects the lifeways of different species, giving a more holistic view.

What are the ethical implications of adopting animal-centric research approaches?

Adopting animal-centric research approaches promotes ethical practices by recognizing animal sentience and social complexity, which can extend beyond academic settings. It challenges us to consider the ethical and political implications of our interactions with animals and work towards a more just and equitable world for all species by understanding their unique experiences and needs. This perspective change is intended to promote ethical treatment and policies for animals.

What are the key benefits of incorporating animal perspectives into social and cultural studies?

Incorporating animal perspectives into social and cultural studies offers several key benefits, including gaining a more holistic understanding of social and cultural dynamics by including animal perspectives, promoting ethical practices within and beyond academic settings by recognizing animal sentience and social complexity, and working towards a more just and equitable world for all species by understanding their unique experiences and needs. These benefits contribute to a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of our shared world.

What challenges do researchers face when studying animals that are not afforded basic social elements and are prevented from forming connections with others, particularly in places like North America?

Researchers face significant challenges when studying animals that are deprived of basic social elements and the ability to form connections, particularly in regions like North America. These animals inspire us to think more carefully and with more care, to reflect on the implications of who we deem worthy, the questions we ask, how we answer them, and what we do with the answers. Studying these animals requires a deep ethical consideration and a commitment to advocating for their well-being and inclusion in social life.