What makes a 'being' sentient?
The dictionary definition is defined as "able to experience feelings." So sentient beings experience emotions like happiness, joy, gratitude as well as pain, suffering, and grief.
Scientists (and anyone who has ever had an animal ) has determined that animals are sentient.
If you know this, it changes how you think, how you act, etc. when dealing with animals - any animals (even humans).
I think what got me onto this subject is that recently I've been re-reading James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small". That man knew this about animals. It's so obvious in his writing. He really cared. Over the years I've read all his books, watched his series (several different ones) on TV, and just happened to be sent the ebooks recently from a friend on my Kindle. So I started reading them again. Love them!
Studies have shown that some animals ARE... and that possibly there are degrees of self awareness. Now there is a difference apparently from self awareness (conscious of being a separate entity from it's environment and from other beings like itself) and conscious awareness (being aware that we ARE aware).
There are so many things we don't know. But as time goes by, we are learning. IMO, anyone who has ever lived or worked around animals know they are not that different from us. Some species have more and better communication skills (and this also varies within the specie - some dogs/cats are smarter than other dogs/cats - same as with people).
I read somewhere at some point that an adult dog/cat had the mental ability of a 3 year old child. I personally think this varies also - some smarter, some not so much.
And yet there are people who look upon animals as if they haven't any feelings or understanding. Animals know when they are loved or not loved. They learn to trust or not to trust according to their experiences - just like humans. Just because they don't have an equal mental ability doesn't lessen their right to a decent life.
They say that if wild animals have never been around a human or have never been treated badly, they would have no reason to fear us (they may want to eat us if that's their nature, but wouldn't fear us). We see this in areas where raccoons will come to the parks in some areas and take food out of people's hands (we had one here that would come to the door and take vanilla wafers out of my hand). I'm not saying this is a good practice - just an example of how they can come to trust and not fear (and I'm very aware that one should always be wary of wild creatures as they will react badly if frightened).
Not sure where I'm going with this post. Just started thinking about how difficult it is for some animals and how some people don't consider this. "Don't feed the birds/squirrels/wildlife!" "They are a nuisance!" Really?? Yes, they can be an 'inconvenience' sometimes... but when you think of your life compared to theirs, putting up with a little inconvenience isn't so bad.
And I'm not talking just about feral cats, but all feral animals. They do contribute in their own way. Feral cats keep the rodent population down. Birds, opossums, and raccoons eat mosquitoes and other insects, etc.
A few pics of wildlife in our back yard over the years:
These are only a few. I also have pics of birds, wild ducks, toads, snakes,... and once an armadillo stopped by. But it's generally the cats, raccoons, and possums that actually come to the door to look in and ask for something. And the truth is, none of them have ever caused us any trouble.
We do get coyotes on occasion and we can't allow them to stay in the yard... too dangerous for the other critters. We have a signal horn that blasts loud and used to chase the coyotes off... banging a few pots will do it too. But they don't come in often. We do have a 6 feet wood fence.
OK, I'm going to close this as I'm sure it's getting a bit long. Hope I didn't bore you or get any anti-wildlife people in a tizzy. Just started thinking about our animals through the years (both inside cats and outside wildlife) and how much they have enriched our lives (and I do hope to see them again one day - as far as I'm concerned, if there's an afterlife, they will be there too).
Thanks for visiting. Sharing my thoughts with you means a lot.
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
I think we are all sentient beings, two- and four-footed ones. I love your pictures and quotes in this post, Rian. I am so glad you are one of my virtual family members. :-)
ReplyDeleteSame here, DJan. We think we know so much, but we know so little. And it takes so little to be kind.
DeleteAnimals certainly are sentient. And I often wonder about trees and plants too. How often have I watched a plant grow towards light. Perhaps not our sort of sentience, but I am not discounting it. At all.
ReplyDeleteHow I loved seeing the critters who have visited you over the years - and your obvious care of and for them. Thank you.
EC, I wonder about trees and plants too... and would not discount it at all either.
DeleteTotal agreement here. I spent many years rescuing the sick, abandoned and abused. I could have had a better retirement had I not put all my earnings into the rescues but I don't regret one cent. I do regret that people would continue to mistreat their animals as if it were their right to do so.
ReplyDeletePatti, we are gradually learning that abuse is abuse... whatever animal it concerns (human or not)... and neglect is a form of abuse.
DeleteThese are good questions. I have NO DOUBT animals are sentient, my God they're as emotional as we are! Self aware though.. I really have to think about that. Well, I've eaten too much meat in my life to be permitted to pass judgment on anyone, but I always thought it scary/fascinating how most serial killers started out by hurting animals. And then there's Trump's sons, who shoot live game for sport... anyway I'm just ranting here. Rian one of the things I like about you best is your love and kindness towards critters. I loved all your photos here. And I'm glad they have you in THEIR backyard! :^)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dug. I've always thought that most people don't give animals enough credit. When you work with or around animals for years, you learn that there's a lot more to them then some people realize. I'm not one of those animal right extremists, just think people should be more sensitive to their struggles and remember to be kind.
DeleteSometimes I wonder if we should eat meat but we need the nutrients and were made to be meat eaters.
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote I like:
“God sleeps in the rock, dreams in the plant, stirs in the animal, and awakens in man.” ― Ibn Arabi
John, I love this quote! Thanks so much for sharing it.
DeleteI totally agree. Also, there is evidence that trees and plants communicate and protect their families, so I think the list of sentient beings is quite a bit longer than we ever thought.
ReplyDeleteOlga, I have read about this too. There's a book I think called "The Hidden Life of Trees" that I heard about... and read a sample... that goes into this. So yes, I agree that the list of sentient beings is longer than we realize.
DeleteSpot on post about species with whom we share the planet. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, LC.
DeleteAmen to all you said.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Joanne.
DeleteRian, I love the quotes in your post. Wish they could be posted everywhere, especially the "how you treat animals is all I need to know about you". That is exactly how I feel. We have a neighbor on the hill behind our pond, we can't see his home, but can hear them. He has had a dog tied for at least six years. The dog has never been let loose. When the dog hears the guy's tuck coming down the road he gets excited and whines...Often if I am outside I hear the truck pull into the driveway, the truck door slam, the dog barking and whining and all the guy says to him is "shut up"! I want so much to go hug that dog and talk to him. He would probably bite me since he has been tied up his whole life. Sometimes I talk to the dog through the woods. People like that make me so angry!! I love all the pictures of the animals that visit your yard. Thank you for taking care of them.
ReplyDeleteHenny, I don't understand people like the neighbor with the dog you mentioned. However, I have to wonder if they treat every being like that... even other people? Or do they just consider the dog not capable of feeling? Or just don't care? It's sad.
DeleteI agree, and I've known animals that were smarter than some people too. That's me trying to be funny.
ReplyDeleteI've been feeding the birds all winter, and there is a little one - it looks like a chickadee but is really small. It doesn't seem to be very afraid of me, and will wait on a tree branch close by while I'm filling the feeders. Yesterday it was in the feeder when I arrived and it stayed for just a second or two before it flew off. I hope it knows I care for it.
Mae, I think they know. And I'll be honest, I do think some animals are smarter than some people - at least when it comes to knowing when to trust and when not to (Their instincts may be keener - but that's just my thinking).
Deletebeing aware that you are aware...i understand the importance of that!! i adore all animals and recognize their value!!
ReplyDeleteyou could open a small zoo there!!
True. But they come and go... few stay, some return (and bring friends and/or family). But they know they are welcome.
DeleteI'm a true animal-lover from an early age. As an adult I spent thirty two years in a career with animals, and loved every minute. My grandmother was my inspiration, my great-grandmother also. I'm smiling at your raccoon pictures, as we had one visit last night looking for food. A cheeky little chap, that wouldn't say no for an answer, and ended up running away with half a loaf of bread !
ReplyDeleteLove your post Rian.
Hugs,
~Jo
I understand, Jo. They are hard to resist. Some just come and eat and go their way... others get under your skin as they come to the door, look in through the glass, and give you that appealing look...
DeleteDear Rian, thanks so much for posting this. We all need to remember the Oneness that connects all of being. You always seem to me to be filled with life for life in every form and in every feature. That is such a gift from Oneness to you and from you to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI love that front-face photo of the opossum. And I'm wondering about the large cat that seems related to a Bengal. What is it's breed do you think. Pure . . . absolutely pure beauty. Peace.
Dee, that cat with those markings is a bobcat that shows up in our neighborhoods in the area. He is especially well marked... more so than most we see (at least that's what we think he is).
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