Philosophical Questions: Animals
Mar. 15th, 2025 11:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithPeople have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.
If it was discovered that most animals were conscious of their existence and eventual death, what would be the ramifications of that discovery?
Most animals are conscious of their existence. They also have instincts to help them continue existing, such as seeking food and avoiding danger.
Many mammals also have some awareness of death as a current loss, looking for and mourning a lost companion. Many animals that nurture their young will become upset if one dies. Fewer pay attention to a loss over considerable time, but there have been enough cases to show that multiple species are capable of doing so. One notable example is the tendency of elephants to touch the bones of other elephants, fondling the bones with their trunks and rumbling whatever it is that elephants say on such occasions.
What seems to be rare, or at least rarely observed by humans, is the case of animals understanding about death before it happens. An animal going away to die may be explained by a more general tendency to hide when unwell and vulnerable. However, this does not explain the tendency of some animals to "say goodbye" to human friends near the end, with actions that humans interpret as such, mostly cats and dogs but occasionally horses or others. Conversations with great apes indicate that they have a more complete understanding of death as a life event, some belief about what it is like, and a deep capacity for mourning.
It's not difficult to know these things, and most humans care fuckall about them. So I doubt that expanding animal awareness would sway many people, given that even great apes are not recognized as persons with rights.
However, it is worth noting that many tribal societies have had taboos relating to animal death. Some are particular to a certain area or species, like not disturbing elephant bones in Africa. Others are more widespread, like not hunting while mothers and babies are together, which does support species renewal but is sometimes framed as an admonition to avoid causing unnecessary grief.
If it was discovered that most animals were conscious of their existence and eventual death, what would be the ramifications of that discovery?
Most animals are conscious of their existence. They also have instincts to help them continue existing, such as seeking food and avoiding danger.
Many mammals also have some awareness of death as a current loss, looking for and mourning a lost companion. Many animals that nurture their young will become upset if one dies. Fewer pay attention to a loss over considerable time, but there have been enough cases to show that multiple species are capable of doing so. One notable example is the tendency of elephants to touch the bones of other elephants, fondling the bones with their trunks and rumbling whatever it is that elephants say on such occasions.
What seems to be rare, or at least rarely observed by humans, is the case of animals understanding about death before it happens. An animal going away to die may be explained by a more general tendency to hide when unwell and vulnerable. However, this does not explain the tendency of some animals to "say goodbye" to human friends near the end, with actions that humans interpret as such, mostly cats and dogs but occasionally horses or others. Conversations with great apes indicate that they have a more complete understanding of death as a life event, some belief about what it is like, and a deep capacity for mourning.
It's not difficult to know these things, and most humans care fuckall about them. So I doubt that expanding animal awareness would sway many people, given that even great apes are not recognized as persons with rights.
However, it is worth noting that many tribal societies have had taboos relating to animal death. Some are particular to a certain area or species, like not disturbing elephant bones in Africa. Others are more widespread, like not hunting while mothers and babies are together, which does support species renewal but is sometimes framed as an admonition to avoid causing unnecessary grief.
Yes ...
Date: 2025-03-15 05:03 pm (UTC)Re: Yes ...
Date: 2025-03-15 05:40 pm (UTC)Koko was a very wise being.