Beyond Words Book Summary - Beyond Words Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Beyond Words summary

What Animals Think and Feel

4.6 (30 ratings)
24 mins

Brief summary

Beyond Words by Carl Safina takes a closer look at the emotions and intellect of animals and how they affect their lives. He argues that just like humans, animals are capable of communicating, thinking, and feeling, and we need to start respecting and recognizing these traits.

Table of Contents

    Beyond Words
    Summary of 10 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 10

    We share some characteristics with animals, but their minds are entirely different.

    We all know the term “puppy dog eyes” and most of us have felt a surge of emotion at the sight of a pooch wearing this seemingly sad expression. But can dogs really feel emotion?

    Actually, anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism are huge roadblocks to seeing animals as they truly are. That’s because scientists are trained to observe and aren’t meant to attribute human characteristics to other beings, or in other words to anthropomorphize them.

    A scientist could say that an elephant stood between her child and a hyena, but would shy away from saying she did so to protect the infant. After all, there could be another reason.

    And anthropocentrism?

    That’s the idea that humans are uniquely capable of feeling and thinking. This is major, because if other animals can’t feel or think like us, then why should they have any rights?

    So, a better way to view animals is by acknowledging that they have minds, albeit minds of their own. For example, thanks to their superb hearing, an elephant will notice an approaching truck or a herd of animals long before a human does. As a result, they might move way before their handler even spots something coming. Failing to acknowledge this fact makes it easy to misinterpret elephant behavior.

    Therefore it’s key to acknowledge the differences between humans and animals but also those between all creatures on an individual basis. That’s because every human is the same but different – and that’s also true for all other species.

    For instance, humans have a long common history with other animals and therefore share common roots, but we have also diverged from them in a variety of ways. Nonetheless, we still share goals like those of survival, reproduction and finding food as well as shelter. Given all of these commonalities, the idea that animals can’t think or feel is totally absurd.

    But how can we prove that they can?

    Want to see all full key ideas from Beyond Words?

    Key ideas in Beyond Words

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Beyond Words about?

    Beyond Words (2015) is an explanation of the animal world’s propensity for thought and feeling. These blinks walk you through the complex societies of the natural world and explain how animals think, experience real emotion and learn.

    Beyond Words Review

    Beyond Words by Carl Safina (2015) is a thought-provoking exploration of the inner lives of animals and the deep connections they share with humans. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

    • It presents a compelling argument for granting animals greater respect and consideration, challenging our preconceived notions of intelligence and consciousness.
    • Filled with captivating stories of animal behavior, the book offers an intimate look into the lives of creatures that are often misunderstood and underestimated.
    • Through meticulous research and observations, Safina fosters understanding and empathy, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.

    Best quote from Beyond Words

    Only humans have human minds. But believing that only humans have minds is like believing that because only humans have human skeletons, only human have skeletons.

    —Carl Safina
    example alt text

    Who should read Beyond Words?

    • Anyone interested in animals
    • Pet owners
    • People who think humans are unique in nature

    About the Author

    Carl Safina holds the endowed chair for nature and humanity at Stony Brook University and is also a staff member of the Alan Alda Center for Communication Science. He has published in National Geographic as well as the New York Times and hosts a PBS series.

    Categories with Beyond Words

    Book summaries like Beyond Words

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Beyond Words FAQs 

    What is the main message of Beyond Words?

    The main message of Beyond Words is the awe-inspiring intelligence and emotional lives of animals.

    How long does it take to read Beyond Words?

    The estimated reading time for Beyond Words is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Beyond Words a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Beyond Words is worth reading for its fascinating exploration of animal consciousness and emotional capacity.

    Who is the author of Beyond Words?

    The author of Beyond Words is Carl Safina.

    What to read after Beyond Words?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Beyond Words, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Genius of Dogs by Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods
    • The Inner Life of Animals by Peter Wohlleben
    • An Immense World by Ed Yong
    • I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong
    • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
    • The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz
    • 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
    • Confidence by Ethan Nichtern
    • Speak Like a CEO by Suzanne Bates
    • Free Speech by Jacob Mchangama