Our purpose here is to replace the foregoing assumptions with seven new assumptions. There is reason to believe that these fresh postulates can support the comprehensive theory of mammalian behavior that has been absent until now. Of course, it would be naive to expect that these new assumptions will be readily accepted. One need only turn to a startlingly candid disclosure of the continuous and successful effort by The New York Times to destroy the credibility of psychologist William McDougall during the first few decades of this century. This first assumption has been traditionally rejected through the deceptive device of labeling it anthropomorphic.
Anthropomorphism is defined as the attribution of human characteristics to non-human beings.
Of course, the term anthropomorphism bears its own implied assumption, namely, that non-human beings do not share human experiences. We can expect to find this bias expressed wherever animal behavior is discussed in a scientific framework. An example is the review of DianFossey's book, Gorillas in the Mist, that appeared in The New York Times. The spiritually inclined, on the one hand, feel strengthened by psychology's rejection of Postulate One in their position that mankind is uniquely in possession of a soul. To them, the rejection of the notion of 'human' feelings in animals is only in keeping with an essential difference between man and beast.