Do Animals Have Sentience?

[Evee]

Get yoir Bibles and read about the talking ass here.
... Balaam’s ass see Numbers
22:21-35).

 

[InnerPhyre]

Apes definitely have a concept of self. They can learn sign language and use it to communicate abstract ideas, though only at the level of a small child. Put a mirror in front of cat and the cat will hiss at it and think it's staring at another cat. Put a mirror in front of a Chimpanzee and it will recongize itself and start making faces. Chimps who know sign languages can identify the image in the mirror as themselves. They can experience complex emotions and have complex social relationships.

No, we certainly do not show enough respect for them or their habitat

 

[devoted daughter]

do you think that Animals have sentience? the ability to reason feel emotions and comprehend actions?

I'm not sure by the literal definition, but as for your question concerning their ability to " feel emotions and comprehend actions," and say, "Most definately!".

 

[Evee]

My belief animals are the most innocent of all.

That is a neat story in numbers.
I believe God was just using the story as an example don't be mean and hit on your animals.
I don't think the ass was literal, a real talking animal but the moral of the story is respect your animals.
That is what I picked up from the story.

 

[Faith In God]

Apes definitely have a concept of self. They can learn sign language and use it to communicate abstract ideas, though only at the level of a small child. Put a mirror in front of cat and the cat will hiss at it and think it's staring at another cat. Put a mirror in front of a Chimpanzee and it will recongize itself and start making faces. Chimps who know sign languages can identify the image in the mirror as themselves. They can experience complex emotions and have complex social relationships.

No, we certainly do not show enough respect for them or their habitat

Dolphins are the same, minus the hands. That does not make them truely sentient creatures (literal definition of sentience). Humans are the only species with a self-awareness of their lives. If you point a gun at a group of kids, they will freeze. If they don't know what a gun is and you demonstrate by killing one, then they will freeze. If you do the same to a chimp, they will certainly be afraid of the noise and will get upset, but they do not understand death or that their lives are in danger.

I do not advocate barbaric treatment of animals or appreciating them, but I do say that no matter what anyone else says, humans are in a whole category separate from animals and those saying that we need to treat animals humanely (like a human) need to find a new line.

 

[Evee]

Dolphins are the same, minus the hands. That does not make them truely sentient creatures (literal definition of sentience). Humans are the only species with a self-awareness of their lives. If you point a gun at a group of kids, they will freeze. If they don't know what a gun is and you demonstrate by killing one, then they will freeze. If you do the same to a chimp, they will certainly be afraid of the noise and will get upset, but they do not understand death or that their lives are in danger.

I do not advocate barbaric treatment of animals or appreciating them, but I do say that no matter what anyone else says, humans are in a whole category separate from animals and those saying that we need to treat animals humanely (like a human) need to find a new line.

I say of course treat people better.
I was just saying Animals do feel pain fear and are self aware to a point.

When I say butcher humanely, I mean make it quick and pain free.

 

[PACKY]

Dolphins are the same, minus the hands. That does not make them truely sentient creatures (literal definition of sentience). Humans are the only species with a self-awareness of their lives. If you point a gun at a group of kids, they will freeze. If they don't know what a gun is and you demonstrate by killing one, then they will freeze. If you do the same to a chimp, they will certainly be afraid of the noise and will get upset, but they do not understand death or that their lives are in danger.

I do not advocate barbaric treatment of animals or appreciating them, but I do say that no matter what anyone else says, humans are in a whole category separate from animals and those saying that we need to treat animals humanely (like a human) need to find a new line.

There is video footage of Dolphins crying as their throats are slit by asian fisherman, there is evidence that Elephants will carry the bones of their dead to selected "graveyards", there is evidence that in some national parks of Africa elephants are able to tell when a vehicle coming at them is full of hunters or tourists and act accordignly, animals all have sentience and the majority of animals have the drive for self preservation.
You seem to feel that we need to treat animals differently... as humans are in a class by themselves... to which i rebuttal that with two simple quotes:

"I don`t hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for
behaving decently to animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species.
We are the species uniquely capable of imagination, rationality, and moral
choice - and that is precisely why we are under an obligation to recognize and respect the rights of animals."
-- Brigid Brophy

"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship.... We are
called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or
some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all
stand unequal and powerless before us."
-- Matthew Scully

we have the larger brain capacity and intelligence so why is it that we use these gifts from god to destroy his creation?

you yourself have a great example of what i am speaking of;
"Love=concern for the eternal well-being of another"

how does man ever expect to live in this world with anything that resembles peace and harmony if we cant even show love mercy and tolerance to Gods smallest creation?

 

[Faith In God]

There is video footage of Dolphins crying as their throats are slit by asian fisherman, there is evidence that Elephants will carry the bones of their dead to selected "graveyards", there is evidence that in some national parks of Africa elephants are able to tell when a vehicle coming at them is full of hunters or tourists and act accordignly, animals all have sentience

According to the definition that you gave us, yes.

and the majority of animals have the drive for self preservation.
You seem to feel that we need to treat animals differently... as humans are in a class by themselves...

They are. Read Genesis. And there are verses that separate men from animals.

to which i rebuttal that with two simple quotes:

"I don`t hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for
behaving decently to animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species.
We are the species uniquely capable of imagination, rationality, and moral
choice - and that is precisely why we are under an obligation to recognize and respect the rights of animals."
-- Brigid Brophy

"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship.... We are
called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or
some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all
stand unequal and powerless before us."
-- Matthew Scully

What do these quotes mean to me? Who are these people? Are they Christians, or animal rights activists? Listen, you may realize this, but the fact that we discuss rights shows a distinction. Animals do not care about rights.

we have the larger brain capacity and intelligence so why is it that we use these gifts from god to destroy his creation?

Good question. Because man is self-centered and doesn't fear God.

you yourself have a great example of what i am speaking of;
"Love=concern for the eternal well-being of another"

Another being another soul. Do animals have souls? The concept of the soul is defined in the bible, and animals aren't included.

how does man ever expect to live in this world with anything that resembles peace and harmony if we cant even show love mercy and tolerance of gods smallest creation?

I agree. Now lay it down straight: do you advocate literal humane treatment of animals or treatment better suited as stewardship objects (lack of better word)? If so, why do you speak this on a Christian forum? We know that we shouldn't be brutal with animals, and we aren't but those that are need to know God.

 

[PACKY]

I say of course treat people better.
I was just saying Animals do feel pain fear and are self aware to a point.

When I say butcher humanely, I mean make it quick and pain free.

To butcher humanely is a oxymoron..

when one living thing takes the life of another they are taking away everything that creature has and will ever will have...

there is no such thing as humane butchering, in fact over the ages it has grown more barbaric and cruel in mans ever reaching quest to make more money.

The only way to "painlessly" take the life of a animal is to use a euthanasia agent, which in the process makes the flesh inedible, takes time and costs money. howver icome back to the original question of:
Is that animals life a member of God's very creation our's to take in the first place?

meat or soybean? if it meant eating soy the rest of my life to prevent even the smallest amount of pain in my name, then i would gladly do so!!!
here is another quote on that topic..

"I know a "crime against nature" when I see one. It is usually a sign of crimes
against nature that we cannot bear to see them at all, that we recoil and hide our eyes, and no one has cringed at the sight of a soybean factory."
-- Matthew Scully

Peace and blessings, may your new year be filled with the fruit of the spirit!

 

[Faith In God]

Is that animals life a member of God's very creation our's to take in the first place?

God gave man the animals to use as food, yes. Everything is good for food if received in thanks.

 

[Observer]

My dogs always seem to know weird little things, like when I'm going to go to bed, even though I don't have a consistent bedtime. I'll be watching TV or something and think, "I should go to bed", and they get off the couch and go to bed before I even get up. They're in tune with my feelings too... they show affection and concern when I'm upset and stuff like that. They seem VERY in tune with me, so they must be able to relate to my feelings and thoughts to be able to recognise them, which means they must experience a similar consciousness to me... so yeah, they have feelings and thoughts and all that stuff

 

[Evee]

There is video footage of Dolphins crying as their throats are slit by asian fisherman, there is evidence that Elephants will carry the bones of their dead to selected "graveyards", there is evidence that in some national parks of Africa elephants are able to tell when a vehicle coming at them is full of hunters or tourists and act accordignly, animals all have sentience and the majority of animals have the drive for self preservation.
You seem to feel that we need to treat animals differently... as humans are in a class by themselves... to which i rebuttal that with two simple quotes:

"I don`t hold animals superior or even equal to humans. The whole case for
behaving decently to animals rests on the fact that we are the superior species.
We are the species uniquely capable of imagination, rationality, and moral
choice - and that is precisely why we are under an obligation to recognize and respect the rights of animals."
-- Brigid Brophy

"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship.... We are
called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or
some claim to equality, but in a sense because they don't; because they all
stand unequal and powerless before us."
-- Matthew Scully

we have the larger brain capacity and intelligence so why is it that we use these gifts from god to destroy his creation?

you yourself have a great example of what i am speaking of;
"Love=concern for the eternal well-being of another"

how does man ever expect to live in this world with anything that resembles peace and harmony if we cant even show love mercy and tolerance to Gods smallest creation?

Well yes it is so good to see someone that has respect for Gods creatures.
God made us the caretakers in my opinion and we are not doing a very good job. THANK YOU BLESSEDBETHEMEEK

 

[Evee]

To butcher humanely is a oxymoron..

when one living thing takes the life of another they are taking away everything that creature has and will ever will have...

there is no such thing as humane butchering, in fact over the ages it has grown more barbaric and cruel in mans ever reaching quest to make more money.

The only way to "painlessly" take the life of a animal is to use a euthanasia agent, which in the process makes the flesh inedible, takes time and costs money. howver icome back to the original question of:
Is that animals life a member of God's very creation our's to take in the first place?

meat or soybean? if it meant eating soy the rest of my life to prevent even the smallest amount of pain in my name, then i would gladly do so!!!
here is another quote on that topic..

"I know a "crime against nature" when I see one. It is usually a sign of crimes
against nature that we cannot bear to see them at all, that we recoil and hide our eyes, and no one has cringed at the sight of a soybean factory."
-- Matthew Scully

Peace and blessings, may your new year be filled with the fruit of the spirit!

I agree and I have to admit that post was oxymoron.
I know though people will always eat meat.

 

[mycatspice]

Undoubtedly animals have emotions. 'Nuff said.

 

[The_Evelyonian]

Animals have emotions and intelligence.

 

[Evee]

Animals have emotions and intelligence.

YES...yes they do.

 

[Gumdrop71]

Animals have emotions and intelligence.
=======================
Yep.

 

[Lorena]

do you think that Animals have sentience? the ability to reason feel emotions and comprehend actions?

Yes. I also believe animals have presentience - the ability to know that something is about to happen before it does, like with the recent tsunamis in SE Asia. Unusual animal behavior just before earthquakes and other natural disasters is a long known phenomena. Animals are also able to hear sounds and noises which are outside the frequency of the human ear. Sometimes I wonder if they can see things we humans cannot. For instance, whenever my neighbor and I walk our dogs on a certain street, for some reason our dogs always stop in the same place and just sit and stare into thin air like they're watching a movie. They're not sniffing or tracing a scent, they just sit and stare and refuse to move. This intrigues me. My neighbor believes they see apparitions or something, but I don't know. It's just curious.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

I believe you are correct Lorena. I've seen dogs (as well as my own) do the very same thing. You know "something" is there I just can't see it. I don't get the feeling it is bad either, because they (the dog/s) don't react badly.

And I know they hear and feel things before we do as well. It is definetly an interesting phenomena.

 

[joerose]

Yes! They most certainly do! More than some people, I might add!

do you think that Animals have sentience? the ability to reason feel emotions and comprehend actions?