Of Beast, Men and Philosophizing -- A Potentially "Hidden Logic"
Updated: Sep 30
Article Summary by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.
The article "Of Beast, Men and Philosophizing -- A Potentially 'Hidden Logic'" explores the differences between human and animal cognition, particularly in relation to existential thought and meaning.
It challenges the assumption that human logic and existential doubt are universal to all living beings, offering an engaging concept of animals possessing a different kind of logic. The article uses scientific references, such as the default mode network (DMN) and comparative cognition, to ground its philosophical musings in real-world research.
The balanced tone of the article is important for a piece like this, as it explores possibilities rather than asserting.
Overall, the article is thought-provoking and brings fresh philosophical questions to light.
The justification for divinity in many minds is simple: the universe "must" have been created by design, and if it was not created but "popped" into existence, then it would have no reason to exist, making it absurd. This argument aligns with the Teleological Argument in philosophy, which posits that the complexity and order in the universe imply a purposeful designer.
Thus, in the minds of many, divinity exists because they are certain that existence can't simply "pop" into existence without previous design.
However, the fallacy in that logic could be the fact that we are bound to human-scale logic (anthropocentrism). Have you ever wondered if (or why not) animals or insects think the same as us? This leads us into an exploration of anthropocentrism and how it shapes human assumptions about intelligence and reason.
When you put an animal like a cat in relative isolation from the world (as they are largely solitary creatures), they might not be bothered with philosophizing like we humans do. As long as a cat has what they need to survive and some affection, they may not question their existence like many humans have, do, and will do.
I've observed the cats I've had throughout my life. When they are awake, they may simply lay somewhere for the majority of their waking time, staring blankly at things or even at a wall. For humans, such behavior might trigger discomfort or even anxiety. It speaks to our need for meaning—a topic extensively explored in existential psychology.
Have you ever thought about what goes on in an animal's mind? While studies in animal cognition have shown that animals think, dream, and form social bonds, it is uncertain whether they ponder deep questions about life, as humans do.
Research on the default mode network (DMN) in the brain—a network associated with self-reflective thought—has only just begun to be explored in animals, leading to fascinating debates about the inner lives of non-human beings.
Philosophy is mainly driven by words, something that animals often do behind our backs. They may understand words but are not capable of reading books or, I believe, forming complex thoughts involving language. The comparison of human symbolic thinking to animal cognition sheds light on why we philosophize, while animals focus on survival.
However, the reasoning behind one's existence does not necessarily require words. In theory, it only requires the ability to inquire and have the concept of self and existence. Even beings such as cats could, in theory, question their existence as we humans do, though it may not take the form of complex, structured reflection.
Still, when you, like my mother's cat, are confined to a small space and do nothing most of the time, a human would go nuts in such confinement. This highlights the distinctiveness of human cognition: our relentless search for meaning, even in a life of comfort.
Why, then, is the need to justify one's existence, along with the existence of the universe, seemingly exclusive to human logic and not the logic of other biological beings?
Why is it important for humans to doubt their existence, even if they lead an overall good life, while an animal, like a cat, does not seem troubled by such existential concerns? This could be a reflection of how evolutionary psychology shapes the human need for meaning and purpose.
This is my theory: I think animals have a different kind of logic than humans. They do not need philosophy or religion because they are not troubled by existence as long as they can survive another day.
Research in comparative cognition suggests that animals operate with forms of logic that serve their survival needs, and this might explain why existential doubt seems absent in them.
As to "why" they must survive, they might have a different logic, a logic that they cannot communicate to us, or simply don't.
It is not necessarily exclusive to instincts that make a lifeform avoid death. After all, humans are technically animals, even if we are more advanced or "superior" to other organisms.
However, our humanity does not necessarily mean that our sense of logic is the most superior or "correct" one. Some humans may need philosophy or religion to give their lives meaning, but this does not seem to apply to lifeforms many consider "beneath" us.
This touches upon the philosophical discourse on speciesism which questions the hierarchical value humans assign to different forms of life.
Can animals philosophize? I don't know. But if they possess mentality, I assume they can philosophize by recognizing concepts such as life, self, and reality, even if it differs from human reflection.
This could mean they approach survival with a philosophy we are unable to grasp, much like the theory of mind in animals continues to challenge long-held human assumptions.
Lastly, remember that some animals surpass us in certain areas. In speed, strength, and sensory abilities like smell, sight, and hearing, they outperform humans.
Recent studies in animal sensory perception show that some animals can see colors that the human eye cannot. It is plausible that animals have ways of perceiving and understanding reality that are beyond human comprehension, adding a whole new layer to the mystery of their "hidden logic."
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