Humans are compassionate, and we are the only creatures who exhibit this trait. That used to be the philosophical perspective and it was argued, sometimes to an extreme, that animals did not have emotions and therefore could not demonstrate care and altruism or any feelings comparable to human higher feelings. Any attempts to ascribe emotions, let alone altruistic behaviour, was dismissed as anthropomorphizing.
In recent years this perspective has been challenged repeatedly through both empirical studies and anecdotal stories. In the last two weeks two stories have emerged which are intriguing. A pod of sperm whales off the coast of Portugal appear to have adopted a bottlenose dolphin which may have been rejected by its own kin. Researchers can see no other likely reason for the ongoing relationship other than providing care.
The more recent story is from South Korea where a pod of a dozen dolphins created a "life raft" to support a sick member (above.) The pod worked at supporting the sick dolphin for a lengthy period before it eventually succumbed to its illness.
We have also heard of elephants and seen them on film as they support a sick herd member or appear to lament a death.
Why did we assume that other animals couldn't feel what we feel? The Christian faith supported that notion for a long time. Was it, and is it still in some circles, that we figure that our human relationship with God gives us a status that doesn't allow other creatures whom scripture tells us are created by God to think or feel or have personalities?
When I proposed a joint blessing service to my colleagues here in Bowmanville several balked, considering it suspect theology. What theology supports the belief that God's creatures are only here for our benefit? Read Psalm 104 and we find quite a different perspective.
Does it make sense to you that creatures of higher intelligence can demonstrate care for others? Is this a shift in outlook for you, or one you have always embraced. What about the theology?
Anyone who has a dog will find it easy to believe that animals have compassion. There are so many examples, but when our dog Dorothy died of cancer, Toto, our surviving dog stopped eating when Dorothy could no longer eat. She walked around and around Dorothy in her last days, seemingly smelling her. We weren't sure what that behaviour was but it was obvious to us that it was a kind of compassionate care. Dorothy had suddenly gone blind in those last days, and was very frightened, so Toto being near her was a comfort. Toto went through such an intense grieving period that we feared we would lose her as well. It would be hard to convince me that animals do not feel something similar to what we feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the personal perspective Lori.
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