Wow! What a fascinating thread! Perna asked about reading Ursula K. Leguin. I haven't read her work for many years, but I have one of her books acquired from a free bookshelf at my school I intend to start reading.

Though we have the ability to think, rationalize, speak and rule the earth, I think we are not too separated from the "lower" species in much of our behaviour. Watch a nature film about sexual dominance among primates, like chimpanzees, and one can't help but identify similar behavior among humans, though in more "sophisticated" terms. Also, I think what we perceive as "superior" regarding ourselves compared to other species may be a misperception. Who knows what elephants or dolphins are saying to each other???

Patty