Suffering can be rather intellectual. As far as empathy is literally intellectual, insects likely don't share that, so their opinion isn't guiding. Certainly, t

Suffering can be rather intellectual. As far as empathy is literally intellectual, insects likely don't share that, so their opinion isn't guiding. Certainly, the purely physical empathy, i.e. emotions, fear of loss, fear of fire, etc. via mirror neurons are bounded by a few instincts and always illuminating fear for ourselves. Will it kill me? kill it with fire! Could the fire spread and kill me? Then maybe it's not such a good idea. Was that my dog run over by a car? I should have taken better care. Will aliens simply extinguish us without prior warning and so, should we try to get ahead of them in the same way? Wouldn't that just expose us? It's a 50:50 chance either way. The default is to do nothing unless stimulated to. After that, combat involves communicating intent, a lot. Likewise, the ability to communicate doesn't imply a need to. Conversely, the ability to communicate doesn't define consciousness. Precisely, the ability to refrain from communication is likewise important. So if an animal can't even shut the fuck up, that's where I draw a line. And I should take that into consideration more often when posting online. Further, action can be involuntary communication. So "A lot can be inferred from how enemies are treated". Concerning invasive surgery, the practical need for analgesics is a smooth procedure, not the suffering of the patient. Corollary: If something cannot rationalize it's suffering that's another line in the sand. E.g. children vs a society of fish missing a sibling.