animals and "humans" - what do we share?

[bonzo]

Hi guys,

I'm trying to compile a list of things us humans have in common with animals. Psychologically/mentally that is...

Along the lines of: emotion, sympathy, compassion, consciousness..etc..

Any more ideas?

Thanks guys

[emzy1985]

Bonzo - Please buy yourself a copy of "The Pig That Sang To The Moon." This is a journey into the emotional lives of farm animals and is very informative.

[Festered]

That, or 'When Elephants weep'

[Mahk]

Here are three I learned about over the past year or so.

Dance/music appreciation:
[YOUTUBE]0bt9xBuGWgw[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw

Painting:
[YOUTUBE]He7Ge7Sogrk[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk

Compassion for other animals in peril, even risking life and limb to save them:
[YOUTUBE]AvG6u8HenyM[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG6u8HenyM

[fiamma]

Cows have been known to flee farms, searching for the calf they have been separated from. Calves are separated from their mothers after 24-48 hours; normally a calf would suckle for 6-12 months. This is typically one of the most stressful events in the life of a dairy cow.

(Information taken from Vegan Society website).

[fiamma]

Animals also have a very strong instinct for survival, as this very happy and touching clip shows (thanks to Roxy for posting on Facebook )

[YOUTUBE]4S6imKY5QRY[/YOUTUBE]

[Johnstuff]

It may be easier to ask "what don't we share ?" than what we do.

I'm not being funny but I kind of object to the phrase "humans and animals" because it implies that humans are not animals. I believe it should be "humans and non-humans" or "humans and other animals".

It is the way our language has evolved, I think because humans like to think they are not animals or are superior to animals.


As mammals we share most things with other mammals. If you take the Chimpanzee for example, I think it would be hard to find anything that is all that different. Love, greed, anger, jelousy, compassion... it's all there.
There are differences sure, but I think they are more superficial than we might think.

Sorry if that comes across as a bit of a rant or doesn't make much sense

[tombenarye1234]

Hi guys,
I'm trying to compile a list of things us humans have in common with animals. Psychologically/mentally that is...

Along the lines of: emotion, sympathy, compassion, consciousness..etc..

Any more ideas?

Thanks guys

animals can love, be frightened, get angry or upset, feel sorrow and happiness.
i know it's all come into "emotion" but i think this word doesn't fully explain the similarity right and you should detail the emotions and give examples.

like that a cow mother would risk her life to defend her baby child or that elephants bury their relatives and friends.

as i see it, the only difference between animals and humans is that animals are weaker than humans and cannot defend themselves - a "crime" that do not go unpunished in the world we live in.

[ümlaut]

Here are three I learned about over the past year or so.

Dance/music appreciation:
[YOUTUBE]0bt9xBuGWgw[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bt9xBuGWgw

Painting:
[YOUTUBE]He7Ge7Sogrk[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk

Compassion for other animals in peril, even risking life and limb to save them:
[YOUTUBE]AvG6u8HenyM[/YOUTUBE]

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG6u8HenyM

oh, goodness! that bird is absolutely precious!

[kokopelli]

Surely it depends which animals you're talking about and the relative development of their nervous systems. People seem to be talking mostly about mammals, which share brain structures with humans that are absent from other vertebrates and all invertebrates.

[Sarabi]

Um... humans ARE animals. So, naturally, we should have everything in common with [some] animals.

[glovesforfoxes]

The ability to feel pain.

[Awen]

Um... humans ARE animals. So, naturally, we should have everything in common with [some] animals.

This

[HotSquirrel]

.... the love of Cheezly and Redwood sausages! Honestly, I have had tofu sausages nicked out of the grill by the cats!!!

Seriously though- Trust was brought to mine the other day when discussing tablet giving with the vet. The vet was amazed at how one of my cats would have tablets on a daily basis for years without much of a fuss. The answer is simple, we've lived with each other for over a decade and she trusts me not to put her into any harm.

[Sarah_]

My cat loves mock meats and tofu as well! My grandmother sent me one of those Soyjoys (unfortunately it was not vegan) but as soon as I opened it to look at it, my cat went absolutely bonkers, clawing at the package and trying to eat it. I broke off a piece for her and she scarfed it down like it was filet mignon or something.

[HotSquirrel]

Sarah. I can understand that, but one of my cats has been caught pinching my museli, so with him we share healthy eating habits.