Meat: A Natural Symbol

ISBN-13: 9780415089296 / Angielski / Miękka / 1992 / 272 str.

Nick Fiddes

Opis

Meat is a broad-ranging and provocative study of the human passion for meat. It aims to intrigue anyone who has ever wondered why meat is important to us: why we eat some animals but not others; why vegetarianism is increasing; why we aren't cannibals; and how meat is associated with environmental destruction. Nick Fiddes argues that meat's primary cultural importance is founded on its vividly representing to us the domination we have sought over nature - not as individuals, but as members of a society which has historically placed great value on that power. The book draws on original research and analyzes academic work, trade journals, advertisements, the popular press, fiction and film. It is extensively illustrated by quotes from conversations with farmers, butchers, vegetarian campaigners, and members of the general public. Placing Western preferences in a historical and cross-cultural context, the book questions the rationality of much that we take for granted, and explains many inconsistencies and incongruities in our behaviour. It is a penetrating and original discussion of our natural everyday world.

Spis treści

Part I: Background  1. Food = Meat  2. A Brief History of Meat Eating  3. A Matter of Taste  4. More than a Meal  Part II: Meat is Muscle  5. Evolution and Elevation  6. The Power of Meat  7. The Barbarity of Meat  Part III: Mixed Meataphors  8. The Reluctant Cannibal  9. Pets and Other Grey Animals  10. The Joy of Sex  Part IV: Modern Meatologies  11. Economics  12. Health  13. Ethics  14. Ecology  15. Conclusions

O autorze

Nick Fiddes