Feelings, personality and language in animals

Voltaire (1694-1778)

Before the late 18th century it was the general opinion that animals didn't had any feelings. They thought of them as little machines who only reacted in a specific way because they were wired like that. But they didn't believe animals to have any emotional life, compassion or personalities beside the complex wiring they were given by God. 
But not all believed so, one was for example French writer and philosopher Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet).

"Answer me, you who believe that animals are only machines. Has nature arranged for this animal to have all the machinery of feelings only in order for it not to have any at all?"

During the 20th Century there was little consideration to animal sentience because of the influence of Behaviorism. It was only in the last quarter of the 20th Century that there was a surge of interest in animal sentience and animal welfare scientist realized that problems could be understood and better handled with an understanding of how animal feel.

It is true that most of us don't understand the languages of the animals, but does that mean that there is no meaning behind their complex variety of sounds and body language? And for personalities; That animals don't have likes and dislikes? Some they like and others they can't stand? Have you ever had a cat or dog and said things as: "That is so typical if him...he always do that" or "He loves to cuddle, but my other dog prefers to play at all times". What is that if not an example of having different personalities?

Want to highlight an amazing experience who eventually became very personal and life changing for this scientist. "My life as a turkey". (BBC)

Where you one of us who thought turkeys was kind of a stupid, big bird? Welcome! Please watch this little documentary, it was surprisingly touching and it changed the way I looked at birds, and their feelings and communication.




My Life As A Turkey HD by limoslight