The human-animal relationship is characterized by ambivalences in modern societies. On one hand, animals are used as objects and materials, processed in a factory-like manner; on the other hand, they are perceived as independent subjects and part of specific social relationships with humans. This outcome of a highly contradictory and ongoing historical development process, shaped by the rationalization of utilization strategies as well as by increasing social closeness to animals, only relatively recently came into focus in social science research.

The volume aims to provide insights into the research on the societal human-animal relationship as a social science introduction.