Earthling
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More and more evidence is coming forth that all vertebrates not only have feelings such as fear and pain, but also ‘positive’ feelings such as joy and pleasure. These pleasurable feelings point animals to behaviour thati s (mostly) good for them.
Homo sapiens are members of the subphylum called vertebrates.
The commonalities that all vertebrates including Homo sapiens have include: a nervous system (including the brain), a back bone, a digestive process, a respiratory system, a heart, blood and sexual organs. We also generally have similar responses to certain stimuli (hot/cold, punctures through skin, hunger, thirst). We also share the trait of having chemicals such as endorphins being released under certain conditions (during sex, pleasure, joy).
Now it is not hard to infer that as most of the Homo sapien species have certain physical and emotional reactions under certain stimuli, that other vertebrates that have similar physical reactions under certain stimuli also have similar emotional reactions, especially when we understand the physical and chemical similiarities between vertebrates. In the past this‘belief’ was called anthropomorphism, however, today science is understanding that we cannot hide behind this ‘human shield’ of superiority if we want to look at things truly scientifically. After all, the complexity/depth of feelings you as an individual feel are different to the feelings as I as an individual feel; however, you can get to an understanding of my emotional pain/joy from my external emotional reactions to stimuli, same as any other species.
Truth be told, having feelings is a wonderful way to ‘get’animals to do what is best for them. Otherwise why else would we have sex if not for pleasure? Or why would we fill that gnawing pit in our stomach? Or drink to quench a thirst? Or lay in the sun on a beautiful spring day? All feelings, that through natural selection, form part of the behaviour of who we and they are.
In a snakes case in the wild, some positive emotions could be the excitement of hunting, the thrill of the chase, enjoyment of the sun on its back, pleasure in moving/exploring new environments, feeling of bark, sticks, sand and perhaps moving water over its scales. Also, the sexual lust and desire of seeking a mate, and then the ecstasy of having sex with its mate. The feeling of being free to move wherever you want, without being trapped in a box. Joy in discovering a new hide. Joy in discovering and tasting and smelling a new food. The feeling of a warm breeze on its body.
Having said that, just as individual homo sapiens have different personal experiences when subject to different stimuli, the same can be said of other species and within a species. How many of you have snakes that will eat anything, whilst other snakes will only eat rats/mice from a certain supplier? Is it because the snake knows the other food is ‘unhealthy’ or is it because it doesn’t like the taste or the smell?
So…back to my original question. Is it cruel to keep a snake in a 4’x2’x2’ sterile box?
After considering the above I would have to say yes, it is cruel to keep a snake in a 4’x2’x2’ sterile box.
What do you say after reading the above?
Homo sapiens are members of the subphylum called vertebrates.
The commonalities that all vertebrates including Homo sapiens have include: a nervous system (including the brain), a back bone, a digestive process, a respiratory system, a heart, blood and sexual organs. We also generally have similar responses to certain stimuli (hot/cold, punctures through skin, hunger, thirst). We also share the trait of having chemicals such as endorphins being released under certain conditions (during sex, pleasure, joy).
Now it is not hard to infer that as most of the Homo sapien species have certain physical and emotional reactions under certain stimuli, that other vertebrates that have similar physical reactions under certain stimuli also have similar emotional reactions, especially when we understand the physical and chemical similiarities between vertebrates. In the past this‘belief’ was called anthropomorphism, however, today science is understanding that we cannot hide behind this ‘human shield’ of superiority if we want to look at things truly scientifically. After all, the complexity/depth of feelings you as an individual feel are different to the feelings as I as an individual feel; however, you can get to an understanding of my emotional pain/joy from my external emotional reactions to stimuli, same as any other species.
Truth be told, having feelings is a wonderful way to ‘get’animals to do what is best for them. Otherwise why else would we have sex if not for pleasure? Or why would we fill that gnawing pit in our stomach? Or drink to quench a thirst? Or lay in the sun on a beautiful spring day? All feelings, that through natural selection, form part of the behaviour of who we and they are.
In a snakes case in the wild, some positive emotions could be the excitement of hunting, the thrill of the chase, enjoyment of the sun on its back, pleasure in moving/exploring new environments, feeling of bark, sticks, sand and perhaps moving water over its scales. Also, the sexual lust and desire of seeking a mate, and then the ecstasy of having sex with its mate. The feeling of being free to move wherever you want, without being trapped in a box. Joy in discovering a new hide. Joy in discovering and tasting and smelling a new food. The feeling of a warm breeze on its body.
Having said that, just as individual homo sapiens have different personal experiences when subject to different stimuli, the same can be said of other species and within a species. How many of you have snakes that will eat anything, whilst other snakes will only eat rats/mice from a certain supplier? Is it because the snake knows the other food is ‘unhealthy’ or is it because it doesn’t like the taste or the smell?
So…back to my original question. Is it cruel to keep a snake in a 4’x2’x2’ sterile box?
After considering the above I would have to say yes, it is cruel to keep a snake in a 4’x2’x2’ sterile box.
What do you say after reading the above?
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