• _number8_@lemmy.worldOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    60
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 month ago

    all animals are waaay more aware than we realize (or can bear to realize), but it’s going to take forever to officially prove because we have to start from the place of them needing to prove that they:

    may also have an internal awareness of their own bodies

    • tired_n_bored@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      23
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 month ago

      I fully agree with you. We try to prove animals have deep self awareness by human standards. The thing is that animals don’t think like humans do, so it’s difficult to prove it but I’m very sure most of them are self-aware

      • iopq@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        14
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 month ago

        When my cat looks at her reflection and makes noises at the “other cat” on the other side if the mirror, I’m pretty sure she’s not aware of how she looks like

          • iopq@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            5
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 month ago

            Cats rely more on their acute hearing to be aware of who is in the room. I’m sure if you play a cat video on TV it will get a reaction

        • M137@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          edit-2
          1 month ago

          That isn’t true for all cats though, many are fully aware they’re seeing themselves. As with humans, individuals of any other species have different levels of intelligence.

    • 474D@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      17
      ·
      edit-2
      1 month ago

      This is gonna be unpopular but it’s kinda hard to hop on that train when most animals fight their own reflection in a mirror. It’s even like half and half for dogs

      Edit: I love dogs and animals, I just think we should be realistic and not go too crazy on the subject from our natural love of them

      • sazey@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        1 month ago

        My friend’s dog was extremely self aware, more than most dogs I would say (not an expert), but would still try and eat its own poop.

      • ramirezmike@programming.dev
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 month ago

        to be fair, mirrors are pretty crazy and don’t typically appear as clearly in nature with the exception of water.

        Whether a dog recognizes its reflection or not doesn’t really rule out that they’re not self aware

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      1 month ago

      My dog is very aware that if his self isn’t given belly scratches by me at any given time, he has to start scratching at me with his paw until I do.

      He’s gotten me in the eye like three times. Little bastard. He’s lucky he’s so cute.