Susana Monsó

Join Susana Monsó, an Associate Professor at UNED Madrid and author of "Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death," as she delves into the intriguing question of whether animals comprehend death. The discussion ranges from grieving elephants to ants that remove corpses, revealing complex animal behaviors related to mortality. Monsó shares insights on how pets like dogs react to the loss of their owners and explores the philosophical implications of animal consciousness. Can animals truly grasp their own mortality? This conversation will challenge your perception.

In this engaging discussion, Susanna Monceau, an associate professor of philosophy and author, delves into how various animals perceive death. She shares fascinating insights on opossums’ uncanny ability to fake their own demise as a survival tactic. The conversation also highlights chimpanzees' nuanced emotional responses to loss, shaped by their relationships. Monceau emphasizes the instinctual nature of ants' reactions to deceased members without comprehending death itself, pushing the boundaries of how we understand animal cognition.

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.