Animals Quote by Tim Ingold
““Faced with an ecological crisis whose roots lie in this disengagement, in the separation of human agency and social responsibility from the sphere of our direct involvement with the non-human environment, it surely behoves us to reverse this order of priority. I began with the point that while both humans and animals have histories of their mutual relations, only humans narrate such histories. But to construct a narrative, one must already dwell in the world and, in the dwelling, enter into relationships with its constituents, both human and non-human. I am suggesting that we rewrite the history of human-animal relations, taking this condition of active engagement, of being-in-the-world, as our starting point. We might speak of it as a history of human concern with animals, insofar as this notion conveys a caring, attentive regard, a 'being with'. And I am suggesting that those of us who are 'with' animals in their day-to-day lives, most notably hunters and herdsmen, can offer us some of the best possible indications of how we might proceed.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Perception of the Environment, Tim Ingold, 2000
Human-animal relations require active, lived engagement rather than distant narration, urging a shift to relational, caring perspectives.
In simple terms: To understand animals we must live with them, not just write about them.
Engage directly with non‑human beings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- rural livelihoods
- conservation projects
- community education
- policy development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can city dwellers foster genuine relationships with non‑human life?
- What practices bridge the gap between narrative and lived experience?
Such deep engagement may be impractical for urban populations lacking daily animal contact.