Consciousness in Animals

IEEE Pulse. 2020 Mar-Apr;11(2):29-30. doi: 10.1109/MPULS.2020.2984306.

Abstract

Are humans the only species with a sense of consciousness? This question has intrigued me for most of my life. Having kept pets and livestock animals, and observed wild animals from both near and far, I have often wondered just how much they know about their surroundings and their place in it. Do they know how to reason out answers to questions important to them? Are they aware of the consequences of their actions? Can they anticipate what other animals, including those of close kin and other, more remote species, are likely to do in certain situations? Can they see themselves inside their minds, if they do, indeed, have minds? Do they dream?

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Awareness
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Consciousness*
  • Dreams
  • Emotions
  • Learning