How can you tell your BP likes you?

[kanarybird]

No, history.

[littleindiangirl]

No, history.

So.... Native Americans believing in the spirit of the earth is history, so therefore all animals have spirits that's directly linked to their emotions and instincts?

Sounds like theology to me.

[kanarybird]

No, the fact that our emotional side didn't develop AFTeR our intellect or out of line with a concept of nature and out place within the macrocosm. It's our intellect and ambition that has done the damage. Animals may not have a great intellect (to do math, build electronics etc) but it's probably because they didn't need it. We developed our intellect as a natural mechanism to survive. Seems outdated now.

[kanarybird]

Simply suggesting that emotions, creation, interraction, magnetism et al. are all co-dependant. The only thing a high intellect is good for is building crap to sell at radio shack.

[littleindiangirl]

No, the fact that our emotional side didn't develop AFTER our intellect or out of line with a concept of nature and out place within the macrocosm. It's our intellect and ambition that has done the damage. Animals may not have a great intellect (to do math, build electronics etc) but it's probably because they didn't need it. We developed our intellect as a natural mechanism to survive. Seems outdated now.

This is a fact? Again, what proof do you have that any animals know emotions as humans know them? Your in a sense saying that having emotions is a fact and hinting at the idea that animals intelligence has no bearing on emotional capacity. Am I getting that right?

I'm trying to read your statements in relation to the original topic, and frankly, I have no idea what tangent your attempting to go off on. Humans destroying the planet? Animals don't?

Maybe since animals don't destroy the planet like you have said, perhaps humans needed to learn how to judge ourselves with a conscience and learn sympathy.

[kanarybird]

The need for sympathy and judgement only arose from our overpopulation and destructive nature.

Our "best qualities" have only come from our own foibles. Ketchup anyone?

[littleindiangirl]

The need for sympathy and judgement only arose from our overpopulation and destructive nature.

Our "best qualities" have only come from our own foibles. Ketchup anyone?

Anywho...

[DSGB]

I know my snake likes me cause she eats every time i offer.

[Mindibun]

I don't understand why everyone fights and argues so much in these threads. When someone asks me the question, "How do you know if your snake likes you?" I assume that they are using the word "like" because that's how humans view it. If this person and I were snakes, we might use the word, "tolerate". Anyway, it's all the same. One who is asking this question is just simply asking, "How do you know if your snake is comfortable with you?" At least, that's how I see it.

I know my snake "likes" me when she eats for me every time, eats with me watching (to makes sure she doesn't have any problems) doesn't bite me when I take her out, and doesn't always try to slither away in a panic when I hold her. She is calm, and acts on her normal instincts without letting me get in her way. This, to me, says, "I am comfortable with you. I trust you. I like you." <-- take your pick.

[Argentra]

Brava. Good post there, Mindibun.

I will not go into this, except to say that going by the basic definition of 'Emotion' which says: "A measurable, physical response to salient stimuli.", animals definitely have them. Fear. Aggression. These are emotions that are seen in most animals on the planet. Feelings, however, are subjective and something entirely different. We don't know the extent of any animals potential feelings. Is it just instinct or something more? As of now, there is no real way to tell.