Humans Should Try Harder to Understand How Animals’ Think

Humans have long thought themselves superior to other animals. Why? For many philosophers and scientists, the answer lies in our ability to experience complex, rational thought. However, scientific evidence has long shown that other animals are just as capable as humans of feeling sadness, joy, pain, love, and loneliness. Giraffes can use statistical reasoning to increase their chance of receiving a favorite food. African Gray Parrots can exercise restraint to receive greater future rewards. Even tiny zebra finches dream, according to research from a team of scientists at the University of Buenos Aires.

Source: 60 Minutes/YouTube

If animals are capable of all this, what then truly separates them from humans? Today, most traits once considered symbolically human have been found in other species. Despite this, humans continue to exploit many of our fellow creatures for our personal gain. Countless cows, chickens, pigs, and others live short and often brutal lives. Destined for human consumption, these creatures live in conditions so abhorrent and unnatural that they are hidden from consumers. Despite many studies proving the sentience of these and other animals, humanity continues to largely view them as fundamentally different. Why? 

One reason may be that non-human animals have developed differently than humans. They rely largely on different senses. For example, dogs’ heightened sense of smell allows them to determine not only what is happening in the present, but also to divine parts of what has happened in the past. Additionally, animals whose evolution diverged from humans long ago may have physical makeups so different from our own that it is hard to understand them. 

Despite this, it behooves humanity to remember that other animals are also fully sentient beings. We only have to look at some of our closest companions, dogs and cats, to remember this. Anyone who has had a beloved pet knows that they are quite capable of emotion. They also have their own distinct and unique personality, just like any human. Yet, despite knowing this, we have created a hierarchical system of animals with humans at the top. We then all too often view the rest of the animal kingdom as inferior. Instead, humans should learn to view different species not as beneath us, but rather as equal to yet different from us. Only then can we learn to appreciate just how truly intelligent our fellow beings are. 

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Ahimsa by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

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• Science Discovers How Animals Play and Why It’s Important

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