Marc Bekoff
Papers
1
Total Citations
170
H-Index
1
About
Marc Bekoff is a pioneering figure in the study of animal behavior, cognition, and ethics, whose work has fundamentally reshaped how we understand the emotional and moral lives of nonhuman animals. A professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Bekoff is best known for his influential concept of "compassionate conservation," which bridges animal behavior science with ethical action. His most cited paper, "Naturalizing Anthropomorphism: Behavioral Prompts to Our Humanizing of Animals" (2007, over 170 citations), offers a groundbreaking model for studying anthropomorphism not as a bias, but as a legitimate scientific tool to decode animal behavior. This work, alongside his extensive writings on animal emotions—including joy, grief, and fairness—has earned him over 20,000 total citations. Bekoff has authored or edited more than 30 books, including the acclaimed *The Emotional Lives of Animals* and *Wild Justice* (with Jessica Pierce), which argue for a scientifically grounded animal morality. His accessible, passionate prose has made him a leading voice in animal studies, inspiring a generation of researchers to approach animal minds with both rigor and empathy.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Naturalizing Anthropomorphism: Behavioral Prompts to Our Humanizing of Animals170 citations · 2007