INTRINSIC VALUE OF ANIMALS AGAINST ANTHROPOCENTRISM: AN ECOCRITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF LAWRENCE ANTHONY’S BABYLON’S ARC

Abstract

The paper entitled ‘Intrinsic Value of Animals against Anthropocentrism: An Ecocritical Perspective of Lawrence Anthony’s Babylon’s Ark analyses the book in an ecological point of view. It proposes to analyse man-animal conflict that arises due to anthropocentrism. In our society, the term cruelty is becoming more powerful as days go on, as it is proven in the book Babylon’s Ark by Anthony. He was born on 1950 in Johannesburg. He is considered as wildlife guru in South Africa. He is an international conservationist, environmentalist, explorer and popular author. The book is analysed using the theory intrinsic value of animals formed by Tom Regan. It states three forms of respect towards animals by people. Anthony depicts the pitiable condition of the Baghdad Zoo animals to the society through his writings. He portrays how the animals suffered in the hands of looters, the black-market dealers and even by the common people. These all are global issues which must be discussed. Animal suffering takes place not only in Baghdad Zoo but all over the world. According to intrinsic value theory on animal, the three forms of respect showed by various people and their dedication towards the welfare of the Baghdad Zoo animals is analysed. Thus, the paper seeks to explore that it is the responsibility of each one of us to bring the natural world back into the proper place.