In this blog post, I will look back at the relationship between humans and animals through the movie Planet of the Apes and ask questions about human superiority.
For thousands of years, humans have been constantly developing science and technology and changing their lifestyles. At least within the framework of human knowledge, humans are probably the only animals that have established civilization and conquered nature on Earth. It can be said that humans have used nature in ancient times and tried to dominate nature since the Middle Ages. However, in the 21st century, human interest is no longer focused on nature, but on “technology for humans,” such as extending life and curing incurable diseases. To develop technology for humans, animals such as dogs, cows, or chimpanzees and orangutans, which are similar to humans, are being used instead of humans. Even now, animals used as test subjects are being observed in cages at research institutes around the world.
What do animals think about the current situation where humans use other animals at will? We cannot hear the animals’ stories, but no animal wants to be treated as an inferior being and used. Perhaps animals are also suffering from unfair treatment and want to dominate humans. Most people would agree that animals were not born to be used by humans, and humans were not born with the right to use animals. So, is it right to sacrifice animals for the sake of scientific and technological development in the name of pursuing human happiness?
Tim Burton’s film Planet of the Apes (2001) deals with this issue. The society of apes, who treat humans as pets, workers, or slaves, naturally reminds us of humans in modern society. Modern humans think they are superior to all other animals and take the sacrifices of animals for the development of science and technology for granted. Like the ape Ari in the movie, there are some who argue that animal rights should be respected in modern society. However, scientists still use many animals in experiments, seemingly compromising on such arguments. The movie seems to satirize modern society by showing a society that is the opposite of reality. By putting ourselves in the shoes of animals, it delivers a message that human ways of thinking are dangerous.
In particular, one of the lines spoken by the apes in the movie is particularly meaningful. In a scene where the main character Leo and his group go to meet his allies, Leo tells Ari, “The smarter humans get, the more dangerous the world becomes.” As human knowledge increases and science and technology advance, we often forget that other animals and nature are becoming increasingly endangered. We are satisfied with the convenience of life brought about by advanced technology, but we are indifferent to the sacrifices that it entails.
One of the important foundations that has made it possible for various advanced technologies to exist today that make human life more convenient is undoubtedly the sacrifice of animals. However, modern humans have become too insensitive to the sacrifices of animals behind the development of science and technology. One of the important causes of this phenomenon is the mindset that considers animals to be very inferior to humans. We think about human rights, but we don’t think about “animal rights.” Most people strongly respond to unfair treatment or when they suffer losses by claiming “human rights.” However, if someone who is not related to them experiences the same thing, they do not pay much attention. Moreover, they do not even care about what happens to animals that cannot even communicate with people, and even take it for granted. The danger of this way of thinking is clearly revealed when we assume that there are higher-level biological groups than humans. When we see apes in the movie dominating humans and not respecting them, we are reminded of how we treat animals. We realize how wrong it is to emphasize only human rights. “Human rights” is a concept created to protect the dignity of humans. Similarly, animals should be recognized as a life form with dignity, and we should think of “animal rights.”
Of course, it can be argued that the sacrifice of animals improves the quality of human life in that humans are at the top of the ecosystem. There is also a logic that humans may take better care of animals as a result. However, these arguments overlook an important point. When humans sacrifice animals, it means that they are artificially manipulating the ecosystem. No matter how much modern humans make use of nature, they cannot create living things or create natural cycles. Therefore, if we continue to use animals from a human perspective, the animals we should care for may eventually disappear. Many species that existed in the past have been extinct by humans, and there are many animals that are currently at risk of extinction. “Extinction” is an irreversible tragedy for humans. As such, the destruction of the ecosystem may eventually prevent humans from properly utilizing nature.
However, this does not mean that we should ignore the development of science and technology while only thinking about the importance of animals. While the resources that humans can utilize on Earth are limited, the population is growing exponentially. As a result, if there is no continuous innovation in science and technology, no one can guarantee the future of humanity. However, in order to achieve “sustainable development,” we must abandon the idea that humans are superior to animals. We need development for living together, that is, “development for protecting nature and living together with animals.” This is also in line with “sustainable development,” which is often mentioned as environmental issues arise today.
Let’s take a look at another scene from the movie. When the main character Leo returns to Earth from the planet where the chimpanzee he had trained landed, he sees a society of apes again. Although the appearance is no different from modern society, there is a statue of the ape Thade in place of the statue of Abraham Lincoln. It is an ape society where humans are replaced by apes. The director explained that this scene is a cliffhanger to build anticipation for the sequel, but from another perspective, it reminds us that humanity is indulged in the arrogance of superiority. If humans consider themselves to be noble beings and do not value other animals, but only pursue the development of science and technology, it sends the message that humans are no different from “beasts.”
About 20 years after the release of the movie Planet of the Apes, the importance of protecting the natural environment and animals has been emphasized and developed socially. However, animal testing and environmental destruction are still ongoing, and this will continue because it conflicts with the development of science and technology. Therefore, more people, and ultimately everyone, should have the awareness to protect the environment and value the sacrifice of animals. This will enable humans to achieve true progress in developing science and technology while also creating a society that lives in harmony with animals and nature.
