Every now and again I receive an email message I ignore after reading the subject line. I know I'm not alone in following this rule of thumb, but today I broke down and opened a message the subject line of which read "Scientists Declare: Nonhuman Animals Are Conscious". I honestly thought it was a joke, likely from one of my favorite newspapers, The Onion. However, it wasn't.
My colleague Michael Mountain published a summary of a recent meeting held in Cambridge, England at which "Science leaders have reached a critical consensus: Humans are not the only conscious beings; other animals, specifically mammals and birds, are indeed conscious, too." At this gathering, called The Francis Crick Memorial Conference, a number of scientists presented evidence that led to this self-obvious conclusion. It's difficult to believe that those who have shared their homes with companion animals didn't already know this. And, of course, many renowned and award-winning field researchers had reached the same conclusion years ago (see also).
Comments
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 08/14/2012 13:46
Formatting issues: there are links within the body text above...the article itself is in the source link where the links in the article actually show up in blue...
chemgal
Posted on: 08/14/2012 13:49
I'll admit to not reading the whole thing. I'm surprised as it's fairly obvious when most animals have a fairly high degree of consciousness (ie. playing fetch with a dog) vs. an unresponsive animal. Seems silly after there have been studies on thing like animals abilities to learn.
I'm guessing there were problems publishing in a high impact factor journal :)
Witch
Posted on: 08/14/2012 13:54
The problem is that the study really only addresses consciousness, whereas most people are more concerned with is their dog self-aware, which is differnt but often confused distinction.
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 08/14/2012 16:27
The problem is that the study really only addresses consciousness, whereas most people are more concerned with is their dog self-aware, which is differnt but often confused distinction.
The problem is that the study really only addresses consciousness, whereas most people are more concerned with is their dog self-aware, which is differnt but often confused distinction.
It wasn't a study, it was a declaration at The Francis Crick Memorial Conference
Here is part of the declaration:
"Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors. Consequently, the weight of evidence indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Non-human animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates."
Part of that sounds like self-aware to me :3
(of course the term consciousness is problematical -- it has many uses, from some special 'identity' to being aware...)
The full declaration can be found here
Anyway, animals have an important place in your Faith tradition, right?
InannaWhimsey
Posted on: 08/14/2012 16:32
I'm guessing there were problems publishing in a high impact factor journal :)
Some big time hitters were there, including Stephen Hawking :3
And yanow how Status and Authority are important to us domesticated primates...so it is things like this that will be good to get laws changed and some theology changed, with a side-effect of making better human beings...
venture111
Posted on: 08/14/2012 17:53
Has anyone observed the lowly ant? We have observed that when a dead ant was lying on the sidewalk, two other ants came along and were carrying that ant away. -- To where?? Maybe a burial. :) Oh dear, and I went and stirred up an ant hill in my flower bed the other day!
Witch
Posted on: 08/14/2012 17:57
Anyway, animals have an important place in your Faith tradition, right?
Indeed they do, both corporally and spiritually.... singularly and collectively.
SG
Posted on: 08/14/2012 18:10
I look down at her and said, "The Francis Crick Memorial Conference declared you have neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors."
She looked up at me and rolled her eyes as if to say, "stupid human" then the look went to "hey, where is my dinner" at which time I asked, "Do you want dinner?" and she barked and dashed to the kitchen. If the Francis Crick folks say it is intentional, it is intentional.
chemgal
Posted on: 08/14/2012 20:15
The problem is that the study really only addresses consciousness, whereas most people are more concerned with is their dog self-aware, which is differnt but often confused distinction.
Sounds right to me Witch.
Inanna, just because people were there doesn't mean they support the ideas (but maybe I should read the article!).
trishcuit
Posted on: 08/15/2012 19:30
My budgies will be happy to know it.