Several anti-animal rights defendents, rely on the argument that animals are ultimately "unconscious" to justify human use and abuse of animals. They believe animals are very sophisticated biological machines that are programmed to respond to stimuli. I find it strange that they can make this claim for animals, but not extend it to humans? Perhaps we are biological machines too?
To me, it seems that I am self-aware, conscious. I think and feel. How do I know that other humans do too since I cannot and never will be able to get into their heads to see and experience their thoughts and feelings? I could be the only conscious being in a highly complicated machine or dream scape? The fact is that we all infer that other human beings are like us (they think and feel similar feelings) by interpreting their behaviour in particular circumstances. I could assume that these are just complex ramifications of a biological machine, but I do not. It is not useful and is very counter-intuitive. Similarly, by watching and interacting with animals, we can also interpret their behaviour as reflection of their inner world and it certainly seems to be as real as ours.
Also their is the evidence of physiology and evolutionary biology. Many animals (like invertebrates) have commonalities in physiology. We can assume that physiological components that look the same and react the same have the same function. For example, a highly developed nervous system and pain receptors in the brain, indicate a propensity for animals and humans to experience pain. We also know that pain is very unpleasant and by judging animal's behaviour while experiencing pain, they also find it very unpleasant.
To me, it seems that I am self-aware, conscious. I think and feel. How do I know that other humans do too since I cannot and never will be able to get into their heads to see and experience their thoughts and feelings? I could be the only conscious being in a highly complicated machine or dream scape? The fact is that we all infer that other human beings are like us (they think and feel similar feelings) by interpreting their behaviour in particular circumstances. I could assume that these are just complex ramifications of a biological machine, but I do not. It is not useful and is very counter-intuitive. Similarly, by watching and interacting with animals, we can also interpret their behaviour as reflection of their inner world and it certainly seems to be as real as ours.
Also their is the evidence of physiology and evolutionary biology. Many animals (like invertebrates) have commonalities in physiology. We can assume that physiological components that look the same and react the same have the same function. For example, a highly developed nervous system and pain receptors in the brain, indicate a propensity for animals and humans to experience pain. We also know that pain is very unpleasant and by judging animal's behaviour while experiencing pain, they also find it very unpleasant.
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