Susana Monsó, an expert in animal minds and ethics from UNED in Madrid, shares insights from her new book on how animals understand death. They explore the philosophical implications of animal mortality, discussing research on Goffin's cockatoos. Monsó unpacks the emotional responses animals have to death, challenging anthropocentric views. The conversation touches on the ethics of consumption and our complicated relationship with nature. Using humor, she reflects on her personal journey with grief while advocating for accessible philosophy.
Dr. Susana Monsó emphasizes the ethical considerations surrounding animal studies, particularly in understanding their reactions to death through non-invasive methods.
The growing field of comparative thanatology seeks to explore diverse animal responses to mortality, revealing emotions like curiosity and indifference beyond mere grief.
The phenomenon of death feigning in certain species showcases an evolved understanding of mortality, highlighting a complex cognition distinct from human perspectives.
Deep dives
Understanding Animal Minds Through Philosophy
Dr. Susana Mansour explains the dual focus of her work on both animal minds and ethics. Her journey into philosophy began with a conventional study of historical figures but shifted towards grappling with real-world issues, particularly concerning animals. She became particularly interested in the cognitive abilities of animals, driven by her close bond with her dog, which led her to explore animal ethics more deeply. This commitment continues to shape her philosophical inquiries, wherein understanding animal minds is fundamental to advocating for their ethical treatment.
The Role of Mortality in Animal Behavior
Dr. Mansour's research delves into how animals comprehend death, a topic she approached both academically and personally. Following her transition into postdoctoral work, she noted a growing field of comparative thanatology, studying animal reactions to death. Her personal experiences with mortality heightened her curiosity regarding how animals perceive this inevitable aspect of life. Through her inquiry, she aims to uncover the cognitive prerequisites necessary for animals to understand death, which differs significantly from human perspectives.
Challenges in Studying Animal Understanding of Death
One fundamental challenge in studying animal understanding of death lies in the ethical considerations of experimentation. Unlike human studies, which can often manipulate scenarios involving death, animal studies face restrictions, making empirical data challenging to obtain. Dr. Mansour discusses alternative methodologies such as using artifacts to observe animal reactions, facilitating a deeper investigation of their perceptions of loss and functionality. This approach encourages a more nuanced understanding of animal cognition without unnecessary harm.
Curiosity vs. Grief in Animal Responses to Death
Dr. Mansour critiques the prevailing focus on grief in the literature surrounding animal death, emphasizing the need to consider diverse reactions to mortality. She suggests that understanding death encompasses a broader emotional spectrum than simply grief, including curiosity and indifference. By observing animals in various contexts, including violence in nature, researchers can gather essential insights into how animals process and comprehend mortality. This perspective urges scholars to expand their investigation beyond bereavement, observing behaviors that reveal a more intricate understanding of death.
Insights from Death Feigning Behaviors
Dr. Mansour highlights the fascinating phenomenon of death feigning in animals like opossums and hognose snakes, which offers unique insights into their understanding of mortality. The defense mechanism of playing dead demonstrates an evolved response to evade predators, indicating that these animals possess an awareness of the consequences of being perceived as alive or dead. This behavior suggests not just an instinctual reaction but also an understanding of 'death' that informs their survival strategies. Such engagements reflect a complex interaction with life and death, challenging the anthropocentric narratives of cognition.