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Loading...Scientists Proclaim Animal and Human Consciousness the Same
A remarkable thing happened at The First Annual Francis Crick Memorial Conference held at the University of Cambridge, July 7 in U.K. A group of prominent neuroscientists signed a proclamation declaring human and animal consciousness alike. Called The Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness, it states:
We declare the following: The absence of a neocortex does not appear to preclude an organism from experiencing affective states. Convergent evidence indicates that non-human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviors. Consequently, the weight of evidence indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Nonhuman animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates.
To many pet parents and animal lovers, the conference only confirms what they already believed through their own observations and interactions with animals – albeit, not with the credibility of scientific research.
Stephen Hawking — considered the greatest mind in physics since Albert Einstein — was the guest of honor at the signing ceremony. The declaration was authored by Philip Low and edited by Jaak Panksepp, Diana Reiss, David Edelman, Bruno Van Swinderen, Philip Low and Christof Koch, all well-respected neuroscientists. The signing was memorialized by 60 Minutes.
Joseph Dial, former Executive Director of the Mind Science Foundation, explains why this declaration is historic and groundbreaking:
What is Consciousness?
There is an important distinction between intelligence and consciousness. Intelligence is measured by the “capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.” So, is it fair to say humans are more intelligent than animals? Animals certainly have a capacity for learning. They cannot create an atomic bomb; maybe that should define them as smart?
The dictionary defines consciousness as “aware of one’s own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.” Take a good, hard look at your pet; for that matter, watch a zoo elephant or a deer in the woods. They are always aware of their own existence. They feel pain and other sensations. Your dog may get annoyed with you if you tease him with a treat for too long before tossing it his way. A deer caught in your headlights feels fear before deciding to take flight. Elephants mourn their family members just like humans.
What This Means for the Future
For millennia, humans have held onto their hubris regarding the belief in human superiority. Perhaps The Cambridge Declaration of Consciousness will inspire a different attitude and further research into the minds of all non-human creatures.
Starting with animal rights through to veganism, changing the minds of those who believe humans are “top dog” will be a challenge. Notable scientists formally recognizing animal consciousness on a level with humans should make for some interesting conversations.
Related Reading:
Declare ‘Human’ Rights for Dolphins and Whales, Scientists Urge
Freedom’s New Frontier: A Guide to Animal Rights
Read more: animal rights, animal welfare, animals, Bruno Van Swinderen, David Edelman, Diana Reiss, Jaak Panksepp, Philip Low, Philip Low and Christof Koch, Stephen Hawking, the cambridge declaration of consciousness, The First Annual Francis Crick Memorial Conference
Photo of Inca birds by Rennett Stowe via Flickr
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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Is it because the grey whale population is naturally expanding, or because of climatic change? Because…
Oh cut the crap Paul Everything isn't about Obama. The military and Nasa have always been in the forefront…
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+ add your ownGotta love the Ice cream commercial to this story about torturing cows and calves for milk. WTF? Doesn't anyone screen this stuff? "Maybe this will inspire further research into their minds"? Vivisection is a horrible thing. The saddest part is? It took this long for "scientists" to figure this out, when morons like me have known it all our lives. :*( The human virus is definitely progressing, but at a very slow rate. We need to push this evolution along. These poor animals are paying for our ignorance and greed.
octopuses?
Humans ARE Animals. They have feelings just like us. It's incredible how many people still don't get it.
Of course we have here the apocryphal story of the scientists climbing the mountain of truth, and hoping to be the first to reach the summit, only to find, as they step foot on the plateau, the theologians and philosophers already sitting there waiting for them. It is confirmation that all animals share our feelings, which we already know, but a bit late in telling us that when you
touch a cat's tail, he doesn't turn to look at who is touching his 'existence. That this belated declaration confirms equality of species is an intrinsically argumentative issue, since no scientist to date has recorded writing, or the act of recording. Animals know how to do many things, [parrots, dogs, monkeys, horses, porpoises] but they only 'know' that they know how to do these things, when interacting with humans. WE know that they are capable of certain responses and behaviors IF they are capable of intelligent reflection [a case for memory]but humans have no way to record the animals' own 'consciousness' of itself as is common in humans. And possession of the neurological substrates implies a potential that must always be humanly measured according to the degree of learning.
Our very first line of communication with animals is kindness, affection, care, and feeding. These are not intellectual capacities but emotional and sentimental. From that base we can establish a behavioral and interactive 'CO-consciousness' that includes humans in the equation. As Donne reminded us," no man is
I trust this declaration will be urgently employed in the desperate legal battles for animal welfare and other animal rights cases around the world.
I agree with all previous comments about the Quick Poll question. I responded "No" because I also already knew this info. Unfortunately, some people will view the "No" result as a measure of people who disagree with the formal declaration. This is not the first time I've seen a poorly worded Quick Poll question on Care2, which is disappointing because it's a lost opportunity for readers to appraise public attitude about a topic that's important to them.
i have known this for years and years. I said yes because it was the only option that made sense. They should have had an option for *I have known this all along* But if i say yes I am supporting what this all stands for.
there is a sci fi webcomic I read called natureofnature's art. the artical here reminded me of it.
although I am sad to see they do not mention what "meanies" call "lower brained animals". as the sci fi ones in the comic have a newfangled neocortext that sits atop their head. it is not part of the physical brain but allows mammals, reptiles, arachnids, birds (he has not written about fish yet) to have human like thought. this halo brain can be removed, leaving them as a base animal.
you should check it out. it is good but you might not like the fighting as in many of the stories they have not evolved beyond understanding the world via martial arts. except for the curret story involving space travle.
but how can a turtle have the same awarness without part of the brain an elephant has? it turns out you do not need those parts of a brain?
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~rhg/images/RepVmamN3rg.jpg
i wish i went to school for these or was born with the knowlage. http://sevendeadlysynapses.com/2011/05/the-truth-about-cats-and-dogs-brains/
maybe everything is explained wrong? or people read it wrong? awarness is not the same as cognitive ablity. and some people raised wrong will not understand a mirror(if they were a feral child)
is there a way to text long term thinking in a non human? outside of "gotta eat, wanna live, stay away from danger". does a cat think about the future? Dog trainers boast about how they live in the now. but does a dog think "where am I go
The 'poll' is very confusing and misleading and needs to be re-worded for an accurate response.
This is one subject where a clear and honest response is of utmost importance. Can you
remedy this. This is one subject that shouldn't be left hanging around in limbo.
I couldn't help but chuckle when I read this article and viewed the video. My Ancestors have known this since the beginning and have passed it down through the generations. But that's okay, if these Neuroscientist want to put themselves on a pedistal and feel glorified, let them. I am just glad they finally "learned" the truth about their animal and fowl companions. I hope that they manage to gain more respect for the animals fowl of the air and sea creatures and pass it on to their future generations and of course their neighbors and friends. Thanks for the post. ;)
We are all one.
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