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Found the rabbit. But seriously they aren't aware of death they just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their ancestors not die. A prey c

Found the rabbit. But seriously they aren't aware of death they just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their ancestors not die. A prey creature has zero cognition of its own death.

illuminator 7y ago
Without knowing the perspective of the animal how can you make that definitive of a statement?
- provolone 7y ago
  Humanity is always seeking to define an arbitrary demarcation point between man and animal. The goal posts were moved (again) after we discovered orangutans using prepared tools to fish for termites.
- thatoneuser 7y ago
  ...neuroscience? Are you implying that rabbits have the ability to understand the metaphysical concept of death like humans? If so where is your supporting evidence? Death is much more complex than simple things like language or long term planning and rabbits can barely do either.
RobertoG 7y ago
">they just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their ancestors not die." That's exactly what we do also. "> A prey creature has zero cognition of its own death. " Well, they look scared to me, the simplest explanation is that they feel the same way that us. Why to add anything else to the simplest explanation? In order we can feel superior to them? Sounds like chauvinism to me. Or in order we don't feel guilty when we kill them? Sounds like cowardice to me. Or put it another way, why I can't say the same thing about you? Maybe you are not aware of your own death, you just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their your ancestors not to die.
- thatoneuser 7y ago
  Humans absolutely don't just rely on impulses. Have you ever read about the evolution and capabilities of the human Brian compared to animals?
notheruser 7y ago
You obviously have no idea if the creature has cognition of death and are simply speculating.
- thatoneuser 7y ago
  Yeah totally, neuroscience is "simple speculation"...

illuminator 7y ago

Without knowing the perspective of the animal how can you make that definitive of a statement?

provolone 7y ago
Humanity is always seeking to define an arbitrary demarcation point between man and animal. The goal posts were moved (again) after we discovered orangutans using prepared tools to fish for termites.
thatoneuser 7y ago
...neuroscience? Are you implying that rabbits have the ability to understand the metaphysical concept of death like humans? If so where is your supporting evidence? Death is much more complex than simple things like language or long term planning and rabbits can barely do either.

RobertoG 7y ago

">they just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their ancestors not die." That's exactly what we do also. "> A prey creature has zero cognition of its own death. " Well, they look scared to me, the simplest explanation is that they feel the same way that us. Why to add anything else to the simplest explanation? In order we can feel superior to them? Sounds like chauvinism to me. Or in order we don't feel guilty when we kill them? Sounds like cowardice to me. Or put it another way, why I can't say the same thing about you? Maybe you are not aware of your own death, you just act based on evolutionary impulses that in the past made their your ancestors not to die.

thatoneuser 7y ago
Humans absolutely don't just rely on impulses. Have you ever read about the evolution and capabilities of the human Brian compared to animals?

notheruser 7y ago

You obviously have no idea if the creature has cognition of death and are simply speculating.

thatoneuser 7y ago
Yeah totally, neuroscience is "simple speculation"...