So, I was thinking and it's blowing my brain right now for some reason. Are most animals conscious like we humans are? By conscious i'm meaning that they know they are part of something bigger (i.e. that there are a lot more of their species, and other species' out there in the world, and that there is a much bigger world outside than what they can see). What sparked it off was that my friend got a new hamster today, and she asked me this exact question, it stumpped me at the time, and kind of still is (although i've came to some conclusion of my thoughts on the matter). Okay so I guess you could say this question is a bit philosophical and has no 100% certain answer, but i'd still like to hear others opinions on the matter I'll share my thoughts after a few people have shared their opinions. Thanks, TS
Some animals like chimpanzees have a sense of self which implies awaremess in the sense to which you're referring. When they look in a mirror, they know that their reflection is not another chimp looking back at them.
Yes, also gorillas and dolphins show that same behavior when looking in a mirror. Gorillas and chimpanzees have also been taught to communicate using sign language, and have expressed surprisingly complex and "aware" ideas. There is an area of the brain -- I don't recall its name now -- that these animals share with us, and that isn't present or not as developed in most other animals, that seems to be correlated with a sense of consciousness in the sense you mean. Another thing you see in these animals (and us) is that there is a noticeable delay in their response to any situation. It is as though there is much more processing we/they have to do than merely respond. I interpret it as processing "overhead", an extra amount of effort required by the awareness that they are solving a problem, as opposed to just solving the problem. By contrast, most other animals respond to situations almost immediately, instinctively, without that moment of hesitation. Other animals that have unusual mental abilities and possibly some potential signs of a degree of consciousness may be octopus, cuttlefish, and some birds.
Interesting See I think they must have some sense on conciousness as I was talking about, they must know they belong to a larger family of animals, that they arn't the only one, etc. But i'm still not sure that they know that there is a much bigger world out there, I mean most animals will stick to the one place, their teritory (apart from those who migrate, who usually migrate to the same places)
Animals respond best to love. They can also be taught right from wrong, such as to do their business outside instead of on the carpet. As for consciousness, a cat if put out will live off the land while a dog unless its raised in the wild will slowly starve.
Most animals don't know about death, that's why they are so brave and you can't fear what you don't know about....
I would have to say that all animals are conscious and they are aware of death because they can sense danger and will fight of fly in order to survive. Some are not as astute as others. They have to be conscious because they are aware of their surroundings at all times, probably more astutely so than us humans in some occasions like bad weather. Cows now when a twister is coming because they huddle together (standing up) and their ears start twitching. It was said that just before the Tsunami struck in Thailand, the animals quickly started heading for the hills. I would have to say they are very much conscious but not in the same manner as a human being. They act on instinct where as humans do not have instinct. We are imbued with a spirit which allows us to make fantastic achievements in art, music, architecture, roadways and the like. Animals don't intrinsically have this ability although they can be trained by humans to emulate what we do within limits.
I honestly don't think animals have thoughts/feels. They know what pain is obviously any living creature does. Unless taught though, I don't think they really understand what's going on or exactly what they're doing here, they just know they're here. It would be cool to be inside an animal's head and here it's thoughts in our language.
Well, all animals are conscious of the things their species have experienced like death, emotions, other species, etc. I don't think they're stupid. However, they wouldn't have any idea about space, other planets, etc. because the whole species don't know anything about that yet.
dont mix instincts , consciousness and behavior mod.... when you yell at your dog when he pisses on the carpet.. you simply create a fear/hate sensation to an ACT.. thus he will just map that act to pain.. (sound/hit/etc) this is not intelligence,... he doesnt know its wrong because it pisses you off.. he will stop doing it to stay away from the negative side.. (pain/sound/etc) as we do... touch ahot red burner.. your brain will map that to pain.. and you wont do it again.. UNLESS you are homer simpson or have some kind of disorder..
Of course they do. If we want to harm them, they will run meaning they have self conscious to continue to survive and just like human, they also crave for affection.