Do animals have empathy?
Do animals have empathy?
Alright, I've been wondering about this for a while now - just how clever are animals, and do they really have empathy? I mean, my cat certainly seems to be plotting something most of the time, but I'm not so sure about the empathy part...
Re: Do animals have empathy?
From what I've read, animals are quite intelligent in their own ways. Dolphins, for example, are known for their problem-solving skills. As for empathy, I reckon it varies from species to species. Even in humans, empathy isn't a given, now is it?
Re: Do animals have empathy?
Mate, have you ever seen a dog? They're empathetic as hell. My mutt comes to comfort me whenever I'm down. And clever? Try hiding a treat from him. No chance.
Re: Do animals have empathy?
I totally believe animals are smart and empathetic, man. Ever watched a crow solve a puzzle? Or a gorilla learning sign language? And don't even get me started on elephants mourning their dead. It's like, totally profound, you know?