• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

do non-human animals have emotions, feelings?

do non-human animals have emotions, feelings?

  • yes, (I'm an older person 60+)

    Votes: 2 3.3%

  • no, (I'm an older person 60+)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • yes, (I'm a younger person 30 or less)

    Votes: 23 37.7%

  • no, (I'm a younger person 30 or less)

    Votes: 1 1.6%

  • yes, (i'm somewhere in the middle 30-60)

    Votes: 35 57.4%

  • no, (i'm somewhere in the middle 30-60)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    61
If and when Humans with (according to some) superior intelligence cease being the dominant life form.
My guess is that the Ants/Termites would be well placed to effect an eventual takeover of the planet.
I would assume that their (intelligence) would be that of survival.
 
Last edited:
Kandahar said:
Yes, they clearly have emotions and feelings. If you're asking if they are "conscious" or "self-aware"...I think it depends on the animal. There is a spectrum of consciousness IMO, and I think most large mammals have some degree of it.
Click to expand...

Some humans are remarkably un-self aware for that matter.

I voted yes. My dogs are full of emotions, it's perfectly obvious.
 
Gardener said:
My dog expressed some ennui just yesterday.
Click to expand...

00SQXz-109366984.jpg
 
tucker, what breed of dog is that?
 
spud_meister said:
most mammals do, from what i've seen, the smarter types of birds, like parrots, ravens and crows do, however, none of my pet fish or lizards have ever shown emotion.
Click to expand...
I just came back from a week in Flordia and they have little lizards all over the place. (this time of year) They are brown and black and I saw one turn white. Not sure if was b/c of fear or what.
 
I think every poisonous snake I see thinks "Oh S###t I am history.
 
PETA are idiots who think it's okay for a cat to eat a mouse but not for a human to eat a chicken. If you want to graze like a cow do it. I have no problem with that; just leave this predator carnivore alone. Would you poke a bear with a stick?
 
Depending on their evolutionary complexity, yes.

Do they have rights?

No, of course not.
 
LowRevs said:
PETA are idiots who think it's okay for a cat to eat a mouse but not for a human to eat a chicken. If you want to graze like a cow do it. I have no problem with that; just leave this predator carnivore alone. Would you poke a bear with a stick?
Click to expand...

Gotta be careful poking bears with sticks now.

It might be Mohammed.
 
Goshin said:
Well, I brought up dogs because I consider myself well-informed and experienced with that species.

Elephants and dolphins... I know what I've read, that's about it.

I don't doubt that there are animals whose mental/emotional depths are far greater than dogs and cats.... but this is kind of how I see it, rating them from lesser to greater mentality:

Insects--- 0.1
Fish------ 0.5
Reptiles--- 1 or 2
Squirrel--- 4 (I'm tempted to say -10 for running in front of the truck! lol)
Cat, Dog-- 8
Pig------- 9
Elephant-- 15
Chimpanzee 18 or 19.
Dolphin---- 17 to maybe 20.
HUMAN --- 100.
Click to expand...

You notice that all of the ones you put in the top rank are by nature social animals?
 
I would put cockroaches at the top of the list. They will inherit the earth.
 
BTW, why do we care if they have emotions or not anyway? What we have to be concerned about is if they ever start becoming lawyers.
 
LowRevs said:
PETA are idiots who think it's okay for a cat to eat a mouse but not for a human to eat a chicken. If you want to graze like a cow do it. I have no problem with that; just leave this predator carnivore alone. Would you poke a bear with a stick?
Click to expand...

PETA does more harm than good.

And while I do support the SPCA? I can tell you that I feel some of their ads hurt them rather than help their cause. :(
 
They certainly develop bonds...

check this out... a hunter gave two tiny deer... half pound each to a local to raise.
She did and after 10-months the deer went to the wild. They'd see the deer along the forest once in a while... then one day, the female deer now 2-years old showed up at the kitchen door, came in the house seemingly stressed out and gave birth. Safe place... no predators in the house.

VOX TIERE

.
 
We'll never know exactly. I would say yes, but their emotions are less complicated than humans I would assume. But we will never truly know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom