The new evidence that revolutionizes our understanding

Animal consciousness is a field that has been neglected and ridiculed

Charles Darwin is revered for his theory of evolution. However, his idea that animals possess a human-like form of consciousness has long been rejected. Darwin claimed that “there is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their capacity to feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery,” but his suggestion that animals think and feel was viewed as scientific heresy by many animal behavior experts. For decades, attributing consciousness to animals based on their responses was considered a fundamental error, as it was argued that projecting human traits onto animals had no scientific basis and it was impossible to prove what was going on in their minds. However, new evidence suggests that animals might be conscious.

Bees are able to count, recognize human faces and learn to use tools. Professor Lars Chittka of Queen Mary University of London has led studies into bee intelligence. His experiments have shown that bees modify their behavior after traumatic events and appear able to “play”, rolling small wooden balls, indicating enjoyment. These findings have led Chittka to declare that it is very likely that bees have consciousness.

It’s not just bees that are under scrutiny. According to Professor Jonathan Birch of the London School of Economics, mounting evidence suggests it’s time to re-evaluate our beliefs about animal consciousness. Birch highlights that researchers are now daring to ask questions about animal consciousness and consider how their research might be relevant. Although there is no conclusive proof, the sum of the evidence suggests a “realistic possibility” that animals are conscious. This is not limited to higher animals such as apes and dolphins, but also includes simpler creatures such as snakes, octopuses, crabs and fruit flies.

The definition of consciousness has been debated since the time of René Descartes, who stated “I think, therefore I am”, suggesting that language is the only certain evidence of thought. However, Professor Anil Seth of the University of Sussex argues that this view has limited our understanding of consciousness. Seth argues that viewing consciousness through a human lens, associating it with language and intelligence, does not reflect reality for other species.

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Professor Stevan Harnad of the University of Quebec suggests that “sensitivity” is a more appropriate and less ambiguous term than “consciousness.” Sensitivity is defined as the ability to feel, and according to Harnad, it encompasses everything from a pinch to tiredness and hunger. Dr. Monique Udell of Oregon State University, although trained in behaviorism, supports the idea of ​​assessing animal consciousness based on measurable behaviors, such as self-recognition in a mirror and planning ability.

The New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness, signed by 286 researchers, says it is irresponsible to ignore the possibility of animal consciousness. Kristin Andrews, a professor of philosophy at York University, argues that most research has focused on humans and monkeys, ignoring more basic levels of consciousness in other species such as octopuses and snakes.

Chris Magee of Understanding Animal Research says experiments on animals already involve animal consciousness, and UK regulations require these experiments to be carried out only if the benefits outweigh the suffering caused. A review led by Birch in 2021 found strong evidence of sensitivity in decapods and cephalopods, prompting the British government to include these creatures in its Animal Welfare Act in 2022.

Animal consciousness is a field that has been neglected and ridiculed. Signatories of the New York Declaration say that taking the risk of challenging established ideas can lead to a richer understanding of the world. Just as the Catholic Church once condemned Galileo for his heresy, we are now at a point where recognizing consciousness in animals could revolutionize our perception of ourselves and our place in the universe.