What is the philosophy of the animals?

There are many philosophies which humans came up with through out the ages. There is Taoism (Going with the flow and living in peace and accepting the flow), there is Optimism (thinking on the bright side), Pessimism (thinking of the worst possible outcomes), and many others...


Some people believe in a creator of all things, some don't....

I'm wondering, just by looking at the animals and observing how they act and live day to day life, what philosophy(s) do you think animals subscribe to?

I had this discussion just a couple of days ago with my fiance - I wondered whether ignorance is bliss on the part of animals...we (humans) are pretty much at the top of the chain in almost all respects - but maybe animals have more of a genuine appreciation of life.

Having said that, do they comprehend life as a period of time or just the current moment? I suppose most animals rear their young, so there must be something driving them to keep their youth alive?

It must be 'stay alive at all costs' or certainly for a carnivore, 'kill or be killed' ...

reply to post by ComeFindMe


Yes, but there must be more to it than that. Why stay alive? Why worry about being killed?

Are they purely acting out of instinct or do they have their own developed individual personalities and reasons?

I'm sure there are moments when they hate AND appreciate life. They don't hold back their emotions...

What is the philosophy of the animals ?

Stay alive and keep the species flourishing.




Something we humans haven't quite got the knack of yet.

Survival of the fittest!
Animals have no sense of entitlement because it is kill or be killed if you want to stay alive and reproduce.
There is no political correctness in the animal world.
Lowering of the bar for them in any way is sure to result in certain extinction.
No time for homosexuality neither, unless you are an outcast lion somewhere.

Originally posted by CranialSponge
What is the philosophy of the animals ?

Stay alive and keep the species flourishing.




Something we humans haven't quite got the knack of yet.

Yes, but why? Is it instinct? Do human beings have this natural instinct too but just ignoring it? What about the monkeys and the other animals that go to war?

Originally posted by Alxandro
No time for homosexuality neither, unless you are an outcast lion somewhere.

You are mistaken. There is plenty of gay sex going on with the animals. In fact, most of these animals are bisexual, but that's a whole 'nother discussion. I want to stay on the nature of the topic which is philosophy of life from the animals.

reply to post by arpgme


I agree! Emotion is expressed by animals when their young die, so the concept is sound - just wonder if our definition of feelings / emotions is comparible to theirs.

reply to post by arpgme

They are like us, minus all the complexity, so they are unaware to a great extent of the things that shape our philosophy. The fact that many animals have sentience does open the door to assigning some degree of emotional reactionary philosophical attributes I suppose. The higher the complexity of thinking, the more worry, but the more joy too maybe. Things like pride, forethought and forgiveness may be part of some animals philosophies. 'Animals' is such a wide term, and I can't help but distinguish primates, dogs and dolphins/whales from other animals. I admit that may be unfair, but I think they would be the first to develop a 'philosophy' beyond mere survival.

Peace,
spec

reply to post by speculativeoptimist


I was thinking, maybe their philosophy is if it feels good do it! (Hedonism)... What do you all think? Or probably going with the flow only acting on impulses and living in the moment? What do you think?

They subscribe to instinct.

You have to remember that most animals do not have the ability to think and ponder like humans.

Probably the closest thing to that would be Koko the Gorilla who was one of the rare few to be able to understand and speak ASL.

Other than that I would say they have no philosophy. They just go about their day, doing what instinct says to do.

reply to post by gimme_some_truth


I wonder how would life be if humans lived the natural way. In the same way that animals do?

reply to post by arpgme

I'm wondering, just by looking at the animals and observing how they act and live day to day life, what philosophy(s) do you think animals subscribe to?

Absolutely beautiful concept and question. S&F!

We have a young German Wirehair puppy... she barked at the wind a few nights ago. It's all new... every sensory input and experience. I often wonder how animals interpret their world and their lives.

Saving this thread for future ref!

...

reply to post by arpgme



Life (in all forms everywhere in the universe) is a neverending cycle of :
"staying alive and keeping the species flourishing"

It's simple, it's basic, it makes perfect sense, it's been working for millenia, and there's no need to complicate it with silly human philosophies such as "why".

Our "why's" are what's gotten us into trouble... we've overcomplicated the most basic fundamental and it's caused us to lose touch with the very essence that's necessary for exactly that... life.

reply to post by CranialSponge


Yes, and that comes from instinct, right? And they don't question it with "why" like humans right?

Maybe that is their philosophy then, living off of instinct and not questioning it.

My dog is very smart, you probs wouldn't believe some of the stunts he's pulled, and at least a couple of them,
he used reason, i swear. it was so obvious.

Originally posted by arpgme
reply to post by CranialSponge

 

Yes, and that comes from instinct, right? And they don't question it with "why" like humans right?

Maybe that is their philosophy then, living off of instinct and not questioning it.

Well, for lack of better word, yes I guess instinct would be the right way of putting it.
Something we lost centuries ago... and it's killing us.

From my observation of animals I'd suggest that if they had a philosophy it would be to keep trying and not give up.

I noticed their determination above all else and rarely saw one of my pets give up once they'd set their minds on something.

Of course, they'd depend on me to provide most of what they wanted and manipulation was one of the strongest weapons in their armoury

Out in the wild they can't afford to give up or they'll die, their lives depend on their determination to see through a course of action.

I don't think they 'talk themselves out of doing things' like we do, either. You know the way some people won't even begin to try something because they are convinced they'll fail? That's a guess, obviously, but the fact that creatures survive and thrive suggests to me that it's probably the case.

I really learnt how important determination is from watching animals.

Originally posted by arpgme


I'm wondering, just by looking at the animals and observing how they act and live day to day life, what philosophy(s) do you think animals subscribe to?

what's your glee.....What's your GLEEEE... ...sounds like
;;;information?
water is life... so , in search of it and its flow
a motion?



Hogar was a concept Hoggar (concept)
link ...like ..principally consisted of a one-piece carbon honeycomb body..ect.
..only , whos concept?

I've been around cats all my life and they seem to be mainly comfort-seekers. As for the other animals I can't really say, though I suspect their "agenda" is similar beyond the instinctual eat, poop, & propagate functions.

Originally posted by arpgme
reply to post by gimme_some_truth

 

I wonder how would life be if humans lived the natural way. In the same way that animals do?

The smarter stronger ones would dominate and kill off the weaker ones, thus passing their genes on to the next generation. Survival of the fittest.

Humans like to humanize everything, that's why I laugh when owners of apex predators (lions,tigers) are surprised when their pets attack them...THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO! Here's what animals think about

1) Eat
2) Don't get eaten
3) Produce offspring

That's pretty much it, animals live off of instinct and Alphas get to reproduce....If ATS was the animal kingdom most of you guys wouldn't have kids because you're Betas.