A second Thought About Animals

In “A Second Thought About Animals,” Rifkin claims that animals, not only the ones close to humans, feel pain, suffer and experience stress, affection, excitement and even love. In a study about pigs performed by Purdue University, it was found that pigs crave affection and are easily depressed if isolated. As of 2012 the European Union has outlawed the use of isolated pig stalls. Another example Rifkin gives is that at the Washington National Zoo an orangutan given a mirror used it to see parts of its body it could not otherwise see. This action showed that the orangutan has a sense of self awareness which up until lately most people believed only humans contained such an ability. A third example given by Rifkin is a 300 pound gorilla named Koko from the Gorilla Foundation in Northern California was taught sign language and knows thousands of english words. This sophisticated language ability is another attribute that was thought only to be found in humans.

Rifkin uses pathos to grab the attention of the reader. He wants the reader to feel as though they need to do something about all the animal testing going on the world. Rifkin uses pathos to appeal to the reader’s imaginations and sympathies.

Rifkin’s use of pathos works because many people will sympathize for animals, as many people come to love animals.