Theos-Talk Archives (September 1997 Message tl00245)

Kym,

You (and others who responded) are right. Animals *do* have emotions. I
simply don't know where my head was at when I wrote what I wrote. Perhaps a
case of engaging fingers before the brain was in gear. ;-D

Lynn

At 02:44 PM 9/11/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Lynn wrote:
>
>> I agree. However, the question is whether animals actually suffer.
>> They
>> indeed feel pain, a tremendous amount of pain. But one of the things
>> that
>> those of who taught natural childbirth classes often said--there's a
>> difference between pain and suffering. Suffering results from pain but
>> has
>> an added emotional component. So we may need to find out if, and if
>> so, how
>> much of an emotional component is attached to the pain that animals
>> experience. (Note, this is not at all an attempt to legitimize in any
>> way
>> inflicting pain on animals. :-))
>
>There are many documented examples of animals responding in what seems
>like an emotional state. There is the famous documentary (on Discovery)
>of the elephant matriarch, who, against instinct and the possible
>welfare of her group, rescued and took in an abandoned baby elephant.
>In the end, it all worked out, but there was much talk about how her
>choice went against most human and scientific conceptions of animals.
>In the humane society where I work, I have seen healthy animals die of
>bereavement,  I have seen animals comfort other animals who are sick or
>otherwise in need of comfort, I have seen animals meet and establish a
>bond that required them to be placed in homes together,  I have seen
>displays of sheer joy, happiness, and knew one dog,  who, when you told
>him a joke, would actually laugh (it was an amazing thing - 'course one
>could say he was only following human cues).  Most people who share
>their lives with animals readily admit animals are chock full of
>emotions.  So, do I believe that animals "suffer," that is suffer with
>an emotional component attached, yes, I do - I really couldn't be more
>sure of it.
>
>Sometimes, in all honesty, I wish I didn't believe that about animals -
>it makes reports of abandonment, abuse, separations, scientific
>experimentation, etc. . . all the more heart-wrenching.
>
>Kym