Animal Behaviour (eBook)

Conwy Lloyd Morgan (1852–1936) was a seminal figure in the burgeoning field of comparative psychology and a pioneer in studying animal behavior and cognition. A British psychologist and ethologist, he is perhaps best known for formulating 'Morgan's Canon,' a fundamental principle that advocates for the simplest explanation of an animal's behavior without resorting to higher cognitive functions unless necessary. His work, 'Animal Behaviour,' is a cornerstone in the domain of ethology and comparative psychology, exploring intricate details of animal actions and learning processes. Morgan's literary style often wove detailed observation with critical analysis, challenging anthropomorphic interpretations of animal cognition. He served as Principal of University College, Bristol, and contributed to the philosophy of emergent evolution, leaving a lasting legacy on the scientific approach to studying animal intelligence. Morgan's extensive contributions to the study of animal psychology laid the groundwork for future research and theories in behavioral science, influencing subsequent generations of psychologists and ethologists. His academic and scholarly pursuits are encapsulated in a body of work that continues to be referenced by scholars interested in the historical and theoretical underpinnings of animal behavior.