Absence of Evidence, or Evidence of Absence?
A paper on Animal Consciousness
December 15, 2004
ANSCI 305
Consciousness is a difficult term to grasp; so much so, that many scientists will not even attempt to define the term, much less search for it's evidence. Most however, do agree that consciousness must include certain aspects; specifically cognition, self-awareness, memory, and abstract thought.
Lesley J. Rogers describes consciousness as, "related to awareness, intelligence, and complex cognition, as well as language. Consciousness may be manifested in self-awareness, awareness of others, intentional behavior, including intentional communication, deception of others, and in the ability to make mental and symbolic representations (13)."
There is no question that humans carry these attributes, but what about animals? Some philosophers, including Descartes, claimed that while humans are conscious, animals are like machines, with no thought process or sentience.......
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Approximate Word Count: 2134
Approximate Pages: 9 (260 words per double-spaced page) |