Animals Can Discern Between Right and Wrong (Unlike Many Humans)
Morality may not be for humans alone. Scientists studying animal behavior say that they have growing evidence that species ranging from mice to primates are governed by moral codes of conduct in the same way as humans.
Pidgeon and monkey together
If humans were thought to be the only species to experience complex emotions and have a sense of morality, it looks like animals have it, too. And that allows them to tell the difference between right and wrong (unlike many humans).
In a controversial new book titled Wild Justice, author Professor Marc Bekoff, an ecologist at University of Colorado, believes that morals are “hard-wired” into the brains of all mammals and provide the “social glue” that often allows aggressive and competitive animals to live together in groups.
Prof Bekoff compiled evidence from around the world that proves how different species of animals appear to have an “innate sense of fairness, display empathy and help other animals that are in distress.”
However, “moral codes of animals are species-specific, so they can be difficult to compare with each other or with humans.”
His conclusions sure gives an added impetus to animal-welfare groups who are advocating that animals should be treated more humanely. However, some experts are sceptical about the extent to which animals can experience complex emotions and social responsibility.
How about being good stewards to our planet first and then question if others can be moral?
Anybody who has ever lived around animals knows this. It is the Biblical nonsense that man is a more special type of animal that has a soul that has blinded humans to this truth. Every species is perfectly intelligent for the life it lives. No more, no less. LIFE is intelligent, in whatever form it takes.