Of course there is no scientific answer to that question, but what do you think?
That probably depends on the animal and how it thinks. Campbell told me about three levels of thinking.
The first level is perception. Have you ever zoned out on a walk? Your body is still taking in information and responding. After all, you aren’t bonking into trees. But you aren’t actively thinking about it.
The second level is the awareness you have when you aren’t zoned out. You aren’t just avoiding trees on autopilot. You’re noticing them and thinking about them.
The third level is being aware that you’re aware. This is self-conscious awareness or meta-level thinking. That means you’re thinking about those trees and noticing your thoughts about them. Maybe you think how incredible it is that a tiny seed can grow huge and eventually give off the oxygen that’s filling your own lungs.
You might even feel awe or a deep connection to nature.
We know humans have self-conscious awareness because we can talk about it. It’s more difficult to figure out if other animals do, too.
The most famous chimpanzee expert in the world—Jane Goodall—says she’s sure chimpanzees feel awe and simply don’t have language to describe it. When chimps see thundering waterfalls, they seem to dance in wonder.
Do animals have religion like humans? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University
That probably depends on the animal and how it thinks. Campbell told me about three levels of thinking.
The first level is perception. Have you ever zoned out on a walk? Your body is still taking in information and responding. After all, you aren’t bonking into trees. But you aren’t actively thinking about it.
The second level is the awareness you have when you aren’t zoned out. You aren’t just avoiding trees on autopilot. You’re noticing them and thinking about them.
The third level is being aware that you’re aware. This is self-conscious awareness or meta-level thinking. That means you’re thinking about those trees and noticing your thoughts about them. Maybe you think how incredible it is that a tiny seed can grow huge and eventually give off the oxygen that’s filling your own lungs.
You might even feel awe or a deep connection to nature.
We know humans have self-conscious awareness because we can talk about it. It’s more difficult to figure out if other animals do, too.
The most famous chimpanzee expert in the world—Jane Goodall—says she’s sure chimpanzees feel awe and simply don’t have language to describe it. When chimps see thundering waterfalls, they seem to dance in wonder.
Do animals have religion like humans? | Ask Dr. Universe | Washington State University