Running with Sherman

Christopher McDougall suggests that humans have become estranged from animals since the Industrial Revolution. Do you agree with his assessment? If so, why, and if not, why not?

Explore E. O. Wilson’s biophilia hypothesis in terms of animal-assisted therapy. Does Wilson’s hypothesis explain the success of such therapy methods, or is there another explanation? What alternative theories exist, and how do they compare to Wilson’s?

Examine the instances in which McDougall evokes the Tao in his book. How does his conception of the Tao relate to the ancient Chinese Tao? In what ways does his conception differ?