In Life of Pi, one of Yann Martel's characters brings up an interesting point about zoos. While the animals in zoos are not free, they are safe. Animals do not value self-determination or the natural sublime like humans; they are more concerned with freedom from predation, freedom from hunger, and freedom from the deleterious effects of the environment.
It is only when humans begin anthropomorphizing animals--projecting human values upon them--that the morality of zoos becomes fuzzy. Animals, Martel's character concludes, are better off zoos. Given a choice and the intelligence to understand it, animals would certainly choose the cage.
Are we the same? Would we sacrifice safety and comfort for a wilder life? What would we seek on this quixotic endeavor? Authenticity? What would authenticity mean in this context?
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