Mailbox.

Emotional About Emotions

I don't get it. Your article "Natural Passions" [September/October] purports to say that wild animals have emotions, the same way people do. If we are to buy that far-fetched idea, then we must begin to think of animals as the same as people, and not as the lesser species that they are. Every religious tradition tells us there is a difference. Don't get me wrong. I have two cats and a corgi, and I love animals-- but people, they ain't.

Linda Underwood

Detroit, Michigan

Your story on animal emotions plays right into the hands of anti- hunting fringe groups: Animals have emotions; therefore, they're the same as people. From that, we must conclude that hunting animals is like committing murder, right? You might as well have published a manifesto to buttress the views of the most far-out animal rights groups.

Sam Dollop

Tucson, Arizona