Have humans been sharing the planet with other intelligent life for millions of years without realizing it? This timely and important book considers the answers and implications, and encourages humans to reconsider our treatment of the species with which we share the earth. In this thought–provoking account, White relies on his more than fifteen year journey to understand the nature of dolphins, an odyssey that took him from the classroom to the center of the ocean. With a growing body of research supporting the sophisticated cognitive and emotional capacities of dolphins, important questions concerning their ethical treatment have arisen. Rich with engaging first–hand accounts, In Defense of Dolphins combines accessible science and philosophy, surveying the latest research on dolphin intelligence and social behavior, making a strong case for improving the moral status of dolphins, and advocating an end to their inhumane treatment.