Some species also show signs of distinct social cultures orcas, for example, live in groups with their own lifestyle, social structure and hunting techniques. Communication might indicate an animal’s preference – like when an orangutan was observed pantomiming for help with a coconut. Eighteenth century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think (reason) from the ability to feel (sentience). The aspect of consciousness referred to as sentience is the subjective ability to have experience of the world. The ability to make decisions for oneself. Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive, or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Answer (1 of 8): Sentience is often thought of as an aspect of consciousness, possibly the most important aspect, but not as specifying the whole of what most people mean by it. Apes have some ability to look forward and backward: by remembering major events from previously watched movies, or taking a tool with them to solve a human-posed puzzle. Dolphins can remember tricks they did in the past. The sense of having an autobiographically connected past and future. Imitation, too, could be a sign of the ability to form relationships – newborn chimps can imitate facial expressions, for example. Monkeys and elephants grieve the loss of fellow creatures. Pilot whales stay close to one another as they dive, and use frequent bodily contact, behaviour that looks like it is giving social comfort. The capacity to form bonds with other creatures, and to care for others and be cared for. As for chimps, their personalities can be assigned to sit on a six-point scale. Members of some spider species can vary in how docile or aggressive they are. Individual squid can be shy or bold sharks may be more social or solitary and some great tits act cautiously while others are the reverse. Many animals have also mastered tools: chimpanzees use leaves as toilet paper, for example, and crows make their own hooked tools to forage.Ī distinctive, individual character. Some animals can handle tougher problems: in one study, orangutans worked out the principles of water displacement to get a peanut. Elephants, monkeys, birds and even fish have shown some understanding of basic maths. The ability to think and reason logically. One researcher has reported a baboon urinating on a rival as a form of revenge. Chimps and bonobos throw tantrums when they don’t get their way. Showing emotion, perspective and a point of view. Kristin Andrews at York University in Toronto, Canada, suggests searching for the six attributes listed here. Philosophers disagree on exactly what it would take for an animal to qualify as a person. Ritkin's essay is her inclusion of a checklist for personhood.
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