I don't buy it, in the sense that ants are among the species we can observe that most display any lack of real "reasoning", they're the closest things we can ea

I don't buy it, in the sense that ants are among the species we can observe that most display any lack of real "reasoning", they're the closest things we can easily study that feel like algorithms. A famous example is when they form circles and just die all following those in front of them. In fact, ants are so basic, that when an ant dies it releases a specific hormone that tells other ants to kick it out of the nest. Scientist could prove it by putting some of it on very lively ants. It didn't matter that it was clearly alive and moving, as soon as it was inside the nest, other ants would group and kick it out. I think empathy requires a level of emotional intelligence such a basic insect just does not have.