Animals

[theOperaGhost]

Are animals capable of thinking, making decisions, feelings, etc?

I think this could be a good debate, so I want to see what people think. I'll post my answer after a few others have posted.

[byee]

(Major dog lover here, totally).

Yes, Jared, without a doubt, dogs can think, they reason, they have feelings. And they're incredibly intuitive.

What other creature recognizes that not only are those sounds that come out of our mouths words for communication, but can actually learn what the words are, what they mean to communicate?

We can learn alot about ourselves from animals, that is why they grace our presence. We just have to be open to them.

[theOperaGhost]

I completely agree.

I am a cat lover, but it's about the same thing.

I'm not even the one who fills the cats food and water dish, to tell the truth I don't do much for our cat, but he sleeps with me and spends the rest of the time I'm home with me. My mom is the one who mainly takes care of him, yet he doesn't spend much time with her. So I disagree with people who say, of course pets care about you, you feed them, well I don't feed my cat, my mom does, and he cares for me more than he does my mom.

He also knows when he is doing something wrong. Even before we can yell at him or anything, when we walk in the room and he's doing something bad, he stops. The most funny thing he does is when he is going to get a bath, he knows it even before the water is run or there is any other indication. He goes and hides in the highest place in the garage. The only time he ever goes up there is when he is going to get a bath.

[byee]

cats, dogs, same thing. Animal lovers love animals, and although we might be selected by different species, we're kindred spirits regardless of who we share our selves with.

They are remarkable creatures, and the attachment with them, that bond, is just wonderful. They are really here to take care of us and bring out the best in us, and they choose very wisely.

[theOperaGhost]

cats, dogs, same thing. Animal lovers love animals, and although we might be selected by different species, we're kindred spirits regardless of who we share our selves with.

They are remarkable creatures, and the attachment with them, that bond, is just wonderful. They are really here to take care of us and bring out the best in us, and they choose very wisely.


Excellently put!

I can't stand people who abuse/neglect/mistreat their pets. Why do you have a pet if you're going to do that? Come people, that's just cruel and immoral. There are ways to give them a good life if you don't want them. It just makes me sick when I see what people can do to their "pets" that they love so much.
Sorry for the rant.

[george]

I love all animals :D

Sure, why not. My dog seems to not want to leave my side lol. And for some odd reason, he always trys to stay out of my dads way. If animals couldn't think, how would they be able to do anything? Like for instance, training a dog?

[byee]

Excellently put!

I can't stand people who abuse/neglect/mistreat their pets. Why do you have a pet if you're going to do that? Come people, that's just cruel and immoral. There are ways to give them a good life if you don't want them. It just makes me sick when I see what people can do to their "pets" that they love so much.
Sorry for the rant.


(of course I agree)

The thing is, we just know that people who abuse animals also abuse the humans in their life, too. Those who cannot love, who do not know how to care for or nurture a creature who is completely defenseless and dependent on us cannot help but sadly do the same for members of their own species.

[Techno Monster]

Yes, animals can communicate, just not in human language. Also, how do you explain that whenever I am around the barn, and I say my horses name, he will stick his head over the fence and look at me???

[Zephyr]

Totally.
I've seen dogs cry before.

Animals obviously have higher thinking skills since they can be trained...
Even my mentaly retarded cat is trained.

[Gumleaf]

i'l just give the short answer, yes, i do believe animals have feeling etc. i've seen it with our neighbours dogs.

[Whisper]

this isn't a debate its a proven fact thats been documented countless times by hundreds of different indipendant scientists

MANY species (dolphins, wolves, whales, elephants, deer, bears, etc.........) all have shown signs of emotion
love, anger, sadness, etc..

[*Dissident*]

I'd say that feeling emotion in the way we think of it is pretty much limited to mammalian species. That goes for thinking and reasoning too. I mean, the only other animal I can possibly think of that does anything close to what chimps and dogs and stuff do, is a parrot, and in my opinion, thats mostly just copying.

But do you think that animals really just memorize our reactions and responses to their actions? like, we make a certain sound, like your animal's name, with a certain inflection, such as a slightly-higher-than-normal pitch, means something good is going to happen, like a belly rub or food. or do you think they actually have reasoning skills, in any form? Dolphins and chimpanzees are the only ones I believe have reasoning skills.

And all mammals I can think of feel emotion. you can tell when a dog is happy, and you can tell when it is sad, or angry or excited. It's all in the way it holds itself and behaves, just like we identify our emotions. And they dream too. My dog sometimes runs when he sleeps. And most dogs know when we are angry or happy, and they react accordingly. They also know when they have done something to piss us off, for the same reason I think.

[george]

Yes, animals can communicate, just not in human language. Also, how do you explain that whenever I am around the barn, and I say my horses name, he will stick his head over the fence and look at me???
wrong my good friend :D jk
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lol I love the one wheres the dogs like "I want it!!" and the one on the couch lol the dog's like whining lol

[Techno Monster]

wrong my good friend :D
uhh... wow?

[george]

im sorry :(

[Oblivion]

Totally.
I've seen dogs cry before.

Animals obviously have higher thinking skills since they can be trained...
Even my mentaly retarded cat is trained.

Omg. I know it sounds mean but when i read that i laughed :(

Sorry. Anyway.

I think animals are definitely able to do all that, and I think they are nearly as complex and thoughtful as humans.

[george]

A cat can be mentally retarded? :O My dogs smart human wise but hes not very smart dog wise lol I don't think that makes any sense though :O

[Sugaree]

First, I want to thanks George for posting that video. You just made my day :D

For the topic: I always thought that dogs could have basic human emotions. There is a reason why they are called man's best friend, and that reason is because they can understand situations and can sense if we feel sad or depressed.

I'm not sure if all animals can feel emotion or have understanding but I am certain that dogs can show that they can feel.