Animal Minds; how much can we learn about them? (Animals)

by dhw, Friday, April 14, 2017, 11:27 (2779 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: The mirror test is used to probe the issue of self-awareness in animals. Out a mirror in front of a chimp and he does notice things about himself, but what does it mean?
http://nautil.us/issue/47/consciousness/what-do-animals-see-in-a-mirror-rp?utm_source=N...

QUOTE: "Showing chimpanzees their reflections seemed like a fascinating little experiment when he first tried it in the summer of 1969. He didn’t imagine that this would become one of the most influential—and most controversial—tests in comparative psychology, ushering the mind into the realm of experimental science and foreshadowing questions on the depth of animal suffering. “ (My bold)

DAVID’s comment: We can imply too much to animals recognizing themselves in the mirror. They do but that does not mean they have complex thoughts, concepts, or any form or deep introspection. We are different in kind as we look in the mirror.

I don’t think the researchers are trying to prove that our fellow animals have the thoughts, concepts and deep introspection of humans. It is all a matter of degree. Speaking purely for myself, and acknowledging that I can’t prove it, I have no doubt that when one of our fellow animals yelps or squeaks with pain, or runs away from a predator, it experiences pain and fear just as we do, and is aware of its pain and fear. The mirror is not the only test of self-awareness!