Animal ConsciousnessAnimal Consciousness

Are Animals Conscious? Find Our Now!Are Animals Conscious? Find Our Now!

By David GassBy David GassCopyright: November 16, 2006Copyright: November 16, 2006

Qu’est-ce que c’est Qu’est-ce que c’est ConsciousnessConsciousness

What is consciousness?What is consciousness? Simple Answer: To survive. Simple Answer: To survive. Complex Answer: To be human.Complex Answer: To be human. Are animals really conscious?Are animals really conscious? Simple Answer: If you kick your dog, does Simple Answer: If you kick your dog, does

he not whimper? If you take an AK-47 to a he not whimper? If you take an AK-47 to a rabid Kodiak bear, does his head not rabid Kodiak bear, does his head not explode?explode?

Complex Answer: Yes…more to comeComplex Answer: Yes…more to come

Was ist Was ist Consciousness:Consciousness:Heute der Cerebrum, morgen das Gehirn!Heute der Cerebrum, morgen das Gehirn!

Consciousness is, like Dave said, difficult to define, hard to measure.Consciousness is, like Dave said, difficult to define, hard to measure. However, reasonable answers include: “awareness of one’s own existence, However, reasonable answers include: “awareness of one’s own existence,

sensations, thoughts, surrounding, etc.; full activity of the mind and senses, as in sensations, thoughts, surrounding, etc.; full activity of the mind and senses, as in waking life” (waking life” (www.Dictionary.comwww.Dictionary.com))

Our textbook and class subdivides it into: Our textbook and class subdivides it into: • Consciousness as wakefulnessConsciousness as wakefulness• Consciousness as voluntary actionConsciousness as voluntary action• Consciousness as awarenessConsciousness as awareness

I went about it differently. Here’s what I did:I went about it differently. Here’s what I did:• Consciousness as “Theory of Mind” (Awareness of others thoughts & actions)Consciousness as “Theory of Mind” (Awareness of others thoughts & actions)• Consciousness as Awareness. (AKA Awareness of surroundings)Consciousness as Awareness. (AKA Awareness of surroundings)• Consciousness as Self-AwarenessConsciousness as Self-Awareness• Consciousness as Conscience/MoralityConsciousness as Conscience/Morality• Consciousness as IntentionalityConsciousness as Intentionality

Why? It’s not that difficult to see things sleep, and most, if not all, organisms do Why? It’s not that difficult to see things sleep, and most, if not all, organisms do ‘sleep’.‘sleep’.

Animals don’t do things that purposefully and unnecessarily jeopardize their Animals don’t do things that purposefully and unnecessarily jeopardize their livelihood.livelihood.

Edward Thorndike:Edward Thorndike:Half-crazed loon, or just a regular Half-crazed loon, or just a regular guy who lives with too many cats?guy who lives with too many cats?

B: August 31, 1874B: August 31, 1874 D: August 9, 1949D: August 9, 1949 American psychologist, worked on animal American psychologist, worked on animal

learning/behaviour.learning/behaviour. His work led to the theory of connectionism.His work led to the theory of connectionism. Most important contribution was the was on cats Most important contribution was the was on cats

learning to escape from puzzle boxes which led to him learning to escape from puzzle boxes which led to him creating the law of effectcreating the law of effect

This states that in regards to responses to stimuli that This states that in regards to responses to stimuli that produce a satisfying or pleasant state of affairs in a produce a satisfying or pleasant state of affairs in a particular situation, that they are more likely to occur particular situation, that they are more likely to occur again in the situation if repeated, and conversely for again in the situation if repeated, and conversely for discomfort, etc.discomfort, etc.

Theory of mind. If we had them.Theory of mind. If we had them.

Animals can’t speak no matter how much we make them Animals can’t speak no matter how much we make them look human, because they’re look human, because they’re notnot human. human.

Animals use communication that appears to seek Animals use communication that appears to seek influence over the behaviour of others, but not their influence over the behaviour of others, but not their thoughts. thoughts.

Humans, however, know that others are different and Humans, however, know that others are different and that others have minds similar to their own, whose that others have minds similar to their own, whose knowledge can be altered by words or actions.knowledge can be altered by words or actions.

Animals’ brains are wired for adaptations and Animals’ brains are wired for adaptations and accomplishments that put us to shame.accomplishments that put us to shame.

We use our We use our mental powermental power to accomplish things. to accomplish things.

Awareness of Environment:Awareness of Environment:What helps my Spider Sense prevent What helps my Spider Sense prevent me from hitting the Chrysler Buildingme from hitting the Chrysler Building

• Awareness of environment is Awareness of environment is basically navigating in this so called basically navigating in this so called ‘Small World’.‘Small World’.

• So we don’t bump into things. So we don’t bump into things. Bumping into other animals creates Bumping into other animals creates defensive procedures (what humans defensive procedures (what humans call ‘payback time’).call ‘payback time’).

Why?Why? Why is it there? Where did it come from?Why is it there? Where did it come from? Merker (2002) suggests that it arose as a Merker (2002) suggests that it arose as a

solution to the logistical problem of the solution to the logistical problem of the complexity of nervous systems, primarily as complexity of nervous systems, primarily as an interface between the spatial and the an interface between the spatial and the motor. motor. Different parts of the brain control for Different parts of the brain control for different things: different things: The visual and auditory cortexes deal with our The visual and auditory cortexes deal with our

body in a world ‘map’ body in a world ‘map’ The hypothalamus controls motivation and drive The hypothalamus controls motivation and drive The nigral system deals with prioritiesThe nigral system deals with priorities A ‘zona incerta’ as a ‘self’ to resolve conflictsA ‘zona incerta’ as a ‘self’ to resolve conflicts

Self-Awareness:Self-Awareness:To be, or not to be.To be, or not to be.

Not to beNot to be Self-awareness in domesticated animals, as in other vertebrates, Self-awareness in domesticated animals, as in other vertebrates,

depends on the degree of external self-perception possible, on depends on the degree of external self-perception possible, on social organisation, on social communication through emotional social organisation, on social communication through emotional signalling, and on acquisition of a symbolic language system.signalling, and on acquisition of a symbolic language system.

We know we are conscious because of our introspection, and in We know we are conscious because of our introspection, and in others through communication of their introspection, though this others through communication of their introspection, though this is hardly objective.is hardly objective.

Studies of self are difficult. Cannot claim human issues are Studies of self are difficult. Cannot claim human issues are the only way to be conscious. Language for self-consciousness the only way to be conscious. Language for self-consciousness is debatable. Not all behaviour patterns have direct fitness is debatable. Not all behaviour patterns have direct fitness

consequencesconsequences Dawkins suggests self-awareness evolved to help us make Dawkins suggests self-awareness evolved to help us make

ourselves the objects of our thought.ourselves the objects of our thought. Swinging through branches that allowed us to do it; size is Swinging through branches that allowed us to do it; size is

important for interacting with environment (spider floats,important for interacting with environment (spider floats, squirrel bounces, elephants splat)squirrel bounces, elephants splat) Povinelli and Cant’s Mirror TestPovinelli and Cant’s Mirror Test Not all animals demonstrate being self-conscious.Not all animals demonstrate being self-conscious.

Intelligence:Intelligence:What makes the world go What makes the world go round. Take that, gravity!round. Take that, gravity!

An animal is thinking when its behaviour is complex (to the point of An animal is thinking when its behaviour is complex (to the point of problem solving, abstract generalization, etc) and proves adaptable to problem solving, abstract generalization, etc) and proves adaptable to changing circumstanceschanging circumstances

We have a tendency to anthropomorphize animals; give them human We have a tendency to anthropomorphize animals; give them human traits, think of animal actions in terms of our own conscious intentions, traits, think of animal actions in terms of our own conscious intentions, thoughts, and motives. We use language to penetrate the interior lives our thoughts, and motives. We use language to penetrate the interior lives our fellow men.fellow men.

Just because one animal is ‘smarter’ does not mean we are more Just because one animal is ‘smarter’ does not mean we are more adaptive,more ‘evolved’, or ‘better’. There is no Great Chain of Being; we adaptive,more ‘evolved’, or ‘better’. There is no Great Chain of Being; we all evolved from the same thing.all evolved from the same thing.

Disobedient animals are every bit as clever as the ones that aren’t; as Disobedient animals are every bit as clever as the ones that aren’t; as quickly as the ‘smart’ ones learn obedience, the ‘dumb’ ones learn quickly as the ‘smart’ ones learn obedience, the ‘dumb’ ones learn evasionevasion

Apes have hands allow them to deal with problems fish cannot (it has Apes have hands allow them to deal with problems fish cannot (it has hands and the tools to use them).hands and the tools to use them).

Animals can deceive each other and humans, but no self-Animals can deceive each other and humans, but no self-deception.deception.Asking what an animal is “Asking what an animal is “trying to do” is a way to creatively to do” is a way to creatively probe the adaptive, evolutionary purpose for its behaviour; probe the adaptive, evolutionary purpose for its behaviour; mock anthropomorphismmock anthropomorphism

Conscience and Morality:Conscience and Morality:What religion is supposed to be forWhat religion is supposed to be for

The thing that prevents me from ripping off the top of your head Alucard/Dracula-style just for a The thing that prevents me from ripping off the top of your head Alucard/Dracula-style just for a bite to drink.bite to drink.

That, plus I lack the physical strength.That, plus I lack the physical strength. Animals are kind of moral. They’re moral enough not to attack each other for no reason, although Animals are kind of moral. They’re moral enough not to attack each other for no reason, although

it does benefit them.it does benefit them. Altruism (especially reciprocal altruism) is the basis of moralityAltruism (especially reciprocal altruism) is the basis of morality Confusion on the idea of a ‘selfish’ gene. Genes can’t be truly selfish because they have no Confusion on the idea of a ‘selfish’ gene. Genes can’t be truly selfish because they have no

awareness.awareness. What we may see as kindness or conscience may actually have another reason behind itWhat we may see as kindness or conscience may actually have another reason behind it We cannot show favoritism among our young.We cannot show favoritism among our young. Human morality remains rooted in moral sentiments we share with many other animals. Rational Human morality remains rooted in moral sentiments we share with many other animals. Rational

morality enhances rather than transcends biology, and non-reflective generous caring behaviour morality enhances rather than transcends biology, and non-reflective generous caring behaviour remains the vital center of animal moral liferemains the vital center of animal moral life

““Can I Borrow a Feeling?”Can I Borrow a Feeling?”Yes, only if you stop singing.Yes, only if you stop singing.

• Animals feel: when you rub a cat’s belly, it Animals feel: when you rub a cat’s belly, it purrs. An elephant will rush you if you purrs. An elephant will rush you if you approach it and its offspring too close.approach it and its offspring too close.

• Emotions are subjective experiences, what Emotions are subjective experiences, what people refer to when they say “I feel people refer to when they say “I feel sad/happy”; mood, passion, feelings, sad/happy”; mood, passion, feelings, sentiments, and ‘affects’ are inner feeling sentiments, and ‘affects’ are inner feeling states.states.

• Can’t expect an animal to be trained well Can’t expect an animal to be trained well unless you understand it.unless you understand it.

Intentionality:Intentionality:I didn’t do it. It was the I didn’t do it. It was the

one-armed manone-armed man Chimps can discern intentionality. One study Chimps can discern intentionality. One study

showed a person either wilfully not giving food, showed a person either wilfully not giving food, and not knowing about the food. The chimps could and not knowing about the food. The chimps could see it and remember for later.see it and remember for later.

Some animals do things that seem intentional, like Some animals do things that seem intentional, like deception.deception.

Carnivores back off when a tougher carnivore Carnivores back off when a tougher carnivore shows up.shows up.

A chimp with a rock. He carries the rock to another A chimp with a rock. He carries the rock to another chimp and begins his intended intimidation display.chimp and begins his intended intimidation display.

One thing to question the chimp’s idea of One thing to question the chimp’s idea of distinguishing truth and deception, simpler to say distinguishing truth and deception, simpler to say he intends to deceive.he intends to deceive.

In animalsIn animals Animals have a sense of conscious. In Animals have a sense of conscious. In

terms of awareness, even invertebrates, terms of awareness, even invertebrates, like octopi and squid, have their ‘brains’ like octopi and squid, have their ‘brains’ spread out through their body.spread out through their body.

Didn’t find anything on animal unity of Didn’t find anything on animal unity of consciousness; then again, how do we test consciousness; then again, how do we test for animals assuming they are one whole for animals assuming they are one whole being and not a collection of things.being and not a collection of things.

Why is Mr. Ed fictional?Why is Mr. Ed fictional? Because animals can’t talk.Because animals can’t talk. Why can’t animals talk? Do they really need to? Did it help them Why can’t animals talk? Do they really need to? Did it help them

survive?survive? If animals did develop language skills, would it increase their If animals did develop language skills, would it increase their

reproductive fitness?reproductive fitness? Animals are simple: they do things that are purposeful.Animals are simple: they do things that are purposeful. Humans, by contrast, spend our lives studying things that don’t Humans, by contrast, spend our lives studying things that don’t

affect our adaptability (outside of saving others’ lives and making affect our adaptability (outside of saving others’ lives and making money to increase male reproductive fitness), lounging about money to increase male reproductive fitness), lounging about watching DVDs while eating chips and drinking Jwatching DVDs while eating chips and drinking Jägermeister, or ägermeister, or fragging noobs.fragging noobs.

..We didn’t just evolve consciousness to ponder We didn’t just evolve consciousness to ponder our consciousness. Evo and natural selection our consciousness. Evo and natural selection would have weeded out ponderers who wasted would have weeded out ponderers who wasted time not eating or mating.time not eating or mating.

ConclusionsConclusions Animals are conscious, slightlyAnimals are conscious, slightly

Animals do not have a theory of mindAnimals do not have a theory of mind Animals are awareAnimals are aware Not all animals are self-awareNot all animals are self-aware Animals are intelligent in their own way that helped them and Animals are intelligent in their own way that helped them and

their ancestors survive to breedtheir ancestors survive to breed Animals are kind of moral; they utilize reciprocal altruism.Animals are kind of moral; they utilize reciprocal altruism. Some animals feel emotion.Some animals feel emotion. Not much research on animals recognizing intentionality. None Not much research on animals recognizing intentionality. None

at all on animals displaying it.at all on animals displaying it. Animals are not humans. Animals are not humans. We have to stop anthropomorphisizing animals.We have to stop anthropomorphisizing animals. Evolution is at a standstill.Evolution is at a standstill. And…And…

THISTHIS

• ISIS

•MYMY

•BOOMSTICK!!BOOMSTICK!!