Biophilia and Biophobia before and after Durero’s Rhinoceroses

Abstract

The objective of this essay is to demonstrate that the epigenetic dimension of the hypothesis of biophilia is more pertinent to biodiversity conservation than the exclusively genetic dimension that Wilson and Kellert ascribe to it, by arguing that the cultural environment may often present epigenetic conditions for biophobia, understood as a poor phenotypical expression of a biophilic disposition. Those authors’ adherence to the theory of the selfish gene and the economic theory of rational choice seems to legitimate a market culture that fosters this distorted expression. But an analysis of the animal symbolism presented in Durero’s rhinoceros suggests that biophobia was already present in the Renaissance and colonial origins of this culture. Finally, we argue that the epigenetic conditions provided by the capitalist culture of the 21st century enable biophobic actions apparently guided by biophilia and conservationist interests, such as the killing of 63 rhinoceroses by 3 elephants in one month in 2003.