Religion

thucythucy

(9,175 posts)

13. I think animals in general are much more conscious than we give them credit for.

Sat May 19, 2018, 03:36 PM

May 2018

I saw a PBS thing (I think it was) a while back on the complex neurology of squids. We know that elephants would appear to mourn their dead. Dogs are incredibly social animals and have senses far beyond our human capacity to gauge. (Some are now being trained to sniff out cancers before they show up on medical tests). Dolphins would appear to have a language, and chimps can learn human sign language.

This idea that humans are somehow at the apex of awareness and cognition (and worth?) is perhaps as deluded as when we used to believe the earth was at the center of the universe. Humanity thus far has been incredibly arrogant with how we treat our fellow creatures, not to mention this planet we all share. I'm afraid the chickens, so to speak, will soon be coming home to roost.

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Is the Sense of Wonder Restricted Only to Humans? [View all] MineralMan May 2018 OP

That sounds like it was a very meaningful experience. 3catwoman3 May 2018 #1

Thanks for following the post here. MineralMan May 2018 #2

I think humans have, largely forgotten, or chosen to ignore... 3catwoman3 May 2018 #3

Yes, I agree. MineralMan May 2018 #6

Thomas Nagel argues that we can never Voltaire2 May 2018 #4

I agree with Nagel, but enjoy trying to imagine that experience. MineralMan May 2018 #7

Following to the religious group, I would say animals, not using the thinking mind, and akin c-rational May 2018 #5

Perhaps, but it is very important to understand that we, too, are animals. MineralMan May 2018 #8

You are correct about humans being animals, and on second thought other animals e.g. c-rational May 2018 #9

Why do you believe that animals don't think? Voltaire2 May 2018 #10

It's a pretty common belief. MineralMan May 2018 #11

"Think" as in the human trait of compulsive rumination or incessant thought. The thinking I c-rational May 2018 #12

I think animals in general are much more conscious than we give them credit for. thucythucy May 2018 #13

Is sentience a necessary component to a sense of wonder? eom guillaumeb May 2018 #14

Depending on your definition of sentience, perhaps. MineralMan May 2018 #15

Self-awareness in dogs. MineralMan May 2018 #16