Can we know what animals are thinking?

Can we know what animals are thinking?

9/2/2017

link

https://medium.economist.com/can-we-know-what-animals-are-thinking-83991bc994c4

summary

In this article, the author explores the question of whether or not we can truly understand the thoughts and feelings of animals. It discusses various scientific approaches and studies that aim to decipher animal cognition, such as using experimental methods to observe behavior or studying animal communication systems. The article also highlights the challenges and limitations faced in this field, including the language barrier and the inherent subjectivity in interpreting animal behavior. Ultimately, it suggests that while we may never fully grasp what animals are thinking, we can continue to gain valuable insights into their intelligence and emotions through ongoing research and observation.

tags

interspecies communication ꞏ animal evolution ꞏ animal memory ꞏ animal cognition research ꞏ animal perception ꞏ animal ethics ꞏ animal survival ꞏ animal behavior ꞏ animal emotions ꞏ animal experiments ꞏ animal welfare ꞏ animal decision-making ꞏ animal feelings ꞏ animal learning ꞏ animal social behavior ꞏ animal language ꞏ cognitive ethology ꞏ human-animal interaction ꞏ animal awareness ꞏ animal research ꞏ animal senses ꞏ animal studies ꞏ animal psychology ꞏ animal instincts ꞏ animal reasoning ꞏ animal thoughts ꞏ animal intelligence ꞏ animal brain ꞏ animal communication ꞏ animal testing ꞏ animal neuroscience ꞏ animal consciousness ꞏ animal cognition ꞏ ethology ꞏ zoology ꞏ comparative psychology ꞏ animal adaptation