Chapter 1: The Nature of Consciousness in Animals

On a recent stroll in my neighborhood, I took a pathway that ran alongside a field. There, a cow paused its grazing to observe me as I walked from one end of the path to the other. For the duration of my walk, I became a point of interest for that cow, an object in its environment that its brain recognized through an act of attention not unlike our own. Like all mammals, cows possess brains divided into two hemispheres, with anatomical structures that share similarities with ours. They experience complex emotions and live in social groups with hierarchies and family ties. Witnessing their pain elicits empathy, as their reactions resonate with our own feelings.

It appears evident that cows, and nearly all animals, possess a form of consciousness akin to ours. We might intuitively believe there is something it feels like to be a cow, a dog, or a dolphin.

However, this conclusion warrants further scrutiny. The cow observing me demonstrates cognitive processes that identify objects and instinctual behaviors that follow. Yet, since it lacks language, the cow might not possess the capacity for object representation, and it certainly does not have self-representation. In essence, the cow lacks a sense of self.

The intricacies of self and consciousness are deeply intertwined. The self is arguably a construct—a collection of components that form an emergent understanding of identity. To genuinely be conscious, one must possess the ability to represent oneself and recognize one’s own agency, which seems essential for the type of awareness we label as consciousness. This self-representation likely necessitates a degree of third-person perspective, which can involve artistic expression or language.

Most individuals begin to acquire language skills before forming early memories. Given that recognizing consciousness in retrospect requires memory, it’s challenging to ascertain how interconnected these concepts truly are. This ambiguity extends to our evolutionary history. The emergence of the ‘self’ correlates with what scholars refer to as ‘behavioral modernity’—a suite of behaviors, including advanced tool use, art, language, dance, and music, marking humanity's leap into modernity.

For those who argue that consciousness exists in all living beings or believe that consciousness transcends the self, a critical question arises: Where does consciousness end and selfhood begin? This inquiry is not as straightforward as it may seem, despite certain eastern philosophies asserting the fundamental non-existence of self. Consciousness and self are intertwined; one can contemplate their own consciousness, indicating that the mind is aware of its own awareness. To be conscious involves not just awareness, but awareness of that awareness—a mind reflecting upon itself. Consciousness appears to necessitate a self.

Experienced meditators often describe a phenomenon where the self seems to dissolve, leading to a state of pure awareness. However, this experience depends on the existence of a self that seeks such a state. Even if they feel the self is absent, it serves as the very apparatus facilitating that experience.

A materialist perspective posits that the brain consists solely of interacting cells, following discernible laws, implying that consciousness is not required for its functions. This leads to the ‘hard problem of consciousness,’ a term coined by philosopher David Chalmers, questioning why consciousness is necessary if the brain can be objectively explained. A hypothetical ‘zombie’ could possess all our features without being conscious. For materialists, consciousness could be seen as an epiphenomenon—an incidental byproduct.

However, this notion is problematic for the reasons outlined. The mind can observe consciousness; one can assert, “I am conscious, I am experiencing consciousness.” If consciousness were secondary to thought, then the assertion “I am conscious” would be impossible. If such thoughts can exist, the mind cannot be purely material, as it is aware of something non-material—namely, actual experiences, or what philosophers refer to as ‘qualia.’

If consciousness and self are inextricably linked, the connection between consciousness and language appears equally complex. The traits of behavioral modernity that distinguish humans from their evolutionary predecessors involve representational awareness—language and art. One could argue that consciousness emerges when individuals can represent themselves, thereby becoming a self. The mind perceives itself, and consciousness acknowledges the mind. A cave drawing marks the inception of the verbal expression “I am,” signifying self-awareness and the awakening of the mind.

This argument, however, remains unprovable. The question of animal consciousness eludes definitive answers, as consciousness is inherently subjective and unmeasurable. Ethically, we must respect the suffering of animals, recognizing that we can empathize with their pain, regardless of the degree to which they experience suffering. Yet, it can be argued that the cow in the field may possess only an unconscious brain due to its lack of language and self-awareness. This enigma is as perplexing as our own consciousness. Perhaps consciousness is more abstract than self, extending even to simpler forms of life, such as insects or trees. Recent discoveries reveal that trees communicate through intricate fungal networks, suggesting that consciousness could be a fundamental aspect of biological existence. Such inquiries may remain unanswered. As Joey from Friends famously noted, it might all be a “moo point… like a cow's opinion.”

The first video, "What evidence is there that animals are conscious beings? | Frans de Waal | Big Think," explores various forms of evidence supporting the notion that animals possess consciousness. It discusses behavioral observations and scientific studies that shed light on the inner lives of animals.

The second video, "What is Animal Consciousness? - YouTube," delves into the definitions and implications of animal consciousness, providing insights into the ongoing debates surrounding this fascinating topic.