and how would we know if they did?
2007-08-01 13:05:59 · 24 answers · asked by no_i_am_asparagus 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
In order to have a conscience, I believe you need to have some sort of sense of morality or good and evil. Animals are directed by their instincts, needs, and learned behaviors, not by a moral code.
2007-08-01 13:11:20 · answer #1 · answered by theinfamouskoolaid 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Do Animals Have A Conscience
2016-10-17 03:35:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some animals have a form of it. Only a few animals have the ability to be aware of themselves. That is a requirement to be able to think in a way that would have a conscience. But elephants for example bury their dead. That means they must feel a little compassion for their deceased friends. I would assume they also have compassion for them while alive. Dolphins have also been known to play games. And when doing so, they follow rules very strictly. If they didn't have a conscience, they would cheat to win the game.
2016-03-20 07:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not very much of a conscience when it comes to other animals out of there species. But I think they have a little conscience because they take care of there young and most dogs won't harm a puppy.
2007-08-01 13:10:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean in the sense that they know right from wrong, I sure think they do! My dogs will hang their heads and plead guilty when they've done something they know is wrong. I have seen animals who protect and mother other animals of no relation. The news often has reports of a heroic deed done by a pet or how about rescue dogs? Without a conscience, they wouldn't care about outcome... whether they are treat motivated or triggered by something unexplainable.
2007-08-01 13:11:26 · answer #5 · answered by ibbibud 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Do animals have a conscience?
and how would we know if they did?
2015-08-08 00:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe animals do have a conscience.
2007-08-01 18:40:34 · answer #7 · answered by oh oh no! :( 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a big subject - but simply - conscience is part of morality - which is part of a sense of "family" or "clan" or etc.
That means respect is needed.
Therefore any animal that considers itself as part of a pack has a conscience.
It is how the laws of "the pack" determine the level of severity of any infringement and thus how they would react.
But you always get some "nut cases" and some "sensitive ones" in any species.
2007-08-01 14:21:00 · answer #8 · answered by Terry E 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had dogs and cats and can honestly say that dogs get guilty consciences, especially when they have taken something they shouldn't! You wouldn't believe the looks I have had from some of them, and they can carry the guilt trip thing out for days, lol:))
2007-08-01 13:24:57 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they don't. Some animals, like fish barely think at all. All they CAN think is eat, run, hide, eat, poop. That's about it. Larger animals like dogs, cats, and horses sort of think in emotions. Like they feel excited or scared, mad or happy. Just the emotion, no consciousness.
2007-08-01 13:11:36 · answer #10 · answered by fina11y 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋