The Whale Museum invites the public to a special lecture and book signing by Thomas White on Friday Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

White is the author of a new book entitled “In Defense of Dolphins: the New Moral Frontier.” In this book he discusses the scientific evidence claiming that dolphins are, like humans, self-aware, intelligent beings with emotions, personalities and the capacity to control their actions.

White concludes that, from an ethical perspective, the injury, deaths and captivity of dolphins at the hands of humans are wrong.

Thomas White is the Hilton Professor of Business Ethics and Director of the Center for Ethics and Business at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. He received his doctorate in philosophy from Columbia University and taught at Upsala College and Rider University in New Jersey before moving to California in 1994.

The Oct. 17 lecture is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 23. The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St.