I studied anthropology Hons in Bangabasi College under University of Kolkata and heard her name when I was studying primatology. I regularly watch the National Geographic channel and read its magazines. The article written by Shubhobroto Ghosh “Chimps Feel” on January 29, 2007 pays the tribute to the great primatologist whose dedicated research is highly praiseworthy. Evolutionary biologists Steven Jay Gould opined that the work of Goodall “represents one of the Western world’s greatest scientific achievements.” Viewers of National Geographic Channel are amazed as they watch her patiently watching the chimpanzees in her field studies in Gombe, Africa.
Jane Goodall is a field researcher whose study on ethology (study of behavior of animals) made us aware of the animal world from the psychological point of view. Kolkatans got the opportunity to watch her when she came to promote the Wildscreen Film Festival. This festival was organized by British Council. Goodall spoke extensively on how she conducted science and challenged conventional perceptions. She said, “When I started studying chimpanzees in 1960 at the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, no one would ascribe emotions or feelings to animals. Well, now they do.” Her work on the chimpanzee making tools and using them is regarded as groundbreaking discovery. This toolmaking behavior was previously regarded as unique in mankind.
Goodall’s Approach to Ethology:
1. It is unique as she gave names to the chimps rather than numbering them.
2. She believed that nonhuman species can emote as we do. It may be romantic to the layman but scientific evidence now supports her belief.
I feel proud and think that the researchers on animal behavior should regard her as the ideal as she is totally dedicated in her research. Goodall explained from the evolutionary perspective on the feeling of awe in animals. She said, “Spoken language would have enabled our ancestors to articulate feelings of awe, feelings that would lead to religious belief, then to organized worship.” Beyond man, there is evidence of this behavior. At the waterfall in the Kakombe Valley, the chimpanzees aggregate and show a slow rhythmic motion performing a magnificient dance for more than 10 minutes. Goodall believes that is the chimpanzee’s style of demonstrating awe much in the way of our prehistoric ancestors may have discussed such feelings. This probably lead to the development of organized religion. So in science it is the observation power that works. Beyond humans, Goodall has pointed again and again that animals shows such behaviors, which were previously thought to be unique to human. Goodall thinks that science and religion can exist side by side. She is opposed to Richard Dawkins view that the religion is the root of all evil. Goodall points to spirituality and the sheer diversity of life on earth is responsible for it. She thinks that like science, religion can go beyond materialism.
