Understanding the World: Thinking About Cats Thinking
Cats, cute furry little critters or feline psychopaths? The jury is out.
Note: I forced ChatGPT to turn my thoughts into English.
Animal and Non-Linguistic Intelligence
The question of whether animals possess intelligence and engage in non-linguistic thinking is one of profound philosophical and scientific interest. As a lifelong cat person, I have always been fascinated by the behaviors of my feline companions. Cats may seem like simple creatures at first glance, but a deeper examination reveals their ability to solve problems. Routine behaviors such as kneading, crying for food, or attempting to open doors demonstrate that they possess some degree of cognitive ability. While their thought processes may not be as complex or abstract as human thinking, cats, and animals in general, exhibit a form of intelligence that does not rely on language.
Non-linguistic thinking is not limited to instinctive behaviors. Animals like cats display a capacity for problem-solving in ways that suggest thought without the need for words. For example, cats will look at a closed door or a faucet, seemingly reasoning that if they could only manipulate the handle, they could get what they want. This behavior challenges traditional behaviorist perspectives, which once reduced animal responses to mere stimulus and reaction. Today, most scholars agree that animals possess a form of intelligence that allows them to think and solve problems, even without language. Furthermore, the assumption that non-human animals, like humans, engage in non-linguistic thought extends beyond cats to a broader range of animals.
The Nature and Role of Qualia
Central to understanding consciousness, in both humans and animals, is the concept of qualia—the subjective experience of sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Qualia are fundamental to the way conscious beings perceive the world, encompassing everything from the vividness of colors to the sensation of heat, to the feeling of love or fear. While it may seem like a human-centric idea, the simplest and most parsimonious explanation is that animals also experience qualia. For example, when a cat purrs while being stroked, it is likely experiencing sensations akin to our own experiences of comfort or warmth.
The concept of qualia extends to include not just physical sensations, but also emotions and thoughts. In humans, this is easy to recognize. We experience the color red, the smell of fresh bread, the feeling of warmth, and the emotion of love. All of these are instances of qualia. However, these experiences are not limited to humans. If we assume that animals are conscious, it follows that they, too, experience qualia—albeit in a different form, perhaps without the same linguistic complexity that accompanies human qualia.
Consciousness Beyond Humans: Panpsychism and Parsimony
If we accept that animals, particularly mammals, experience qualia, the next question becomes: how far does consciousness extend? Does it stop at cats, dogs, or primates, or can it be extended to plants, insects, and even non-living entities? Panpsychism, a philosophical perspective that posits that consciousness is a fundamental feature of the universe, akin to mass or energy, offers a potential answer. According to panpsychism, consciousness could be present in everything, from animals to plants, to bacteria, and even inanimate objects.
Though this idea might seem outlandish, it is rooted in the principle of parsimony—the simplest explanation is often the best. If we assume that consciousness arises from complex biological structures, we limit our understanding to only those beings that possess such structures. But if we consider that consciousness may be a fundamental property of the universe, we open the possibility that plants, insects, and even single-celled organisms like amoebas may experience some form of consciousness. This does not mean they have thoughts or emotions in the way humans or animals do, but that they may have some minimal, basic experience of existence.
Neurological and Behavioral Evidence of Consciousness
Studying animal consciousness presents significant challenges. While we can infer from behavior that animals are conscious, providing neurological proof is far more difficult. In humans, the study of consciousness is often linked to the brain and its neurological processes. We use brain scans and cognitive tests to understand how the brain produces conscious experience. In animals, however, such tools are limited, and behavioral studies often provide the most compelling evidence of consciousness.
For instance, experiments on cats and other animals have shown that they exhibit problem-solving abilities, social behaviors, and even the ability to recognize themselves in mirrors—an indicator of self-awareness in certain species. Neurological studies on animal brains suggest similarities to human brain structures associated with consciousness. However, the evidence is far from conclusive, and the debate over animal consciousness is ongoing. Psychologists and neuroscientists continue to study the relationship between behavior, brain function, and conscious experience in animals.
Challenges in Defining Consciousness
Consciousness is one of the most difficult problems in philosophy and science, often referred to as the "hard problem of consciousness." There is no consensus on how to define consciousness, much less how to explain its emergence. Some believe that consciousness is a product of neurological processes, tied directly to the brain and its complexity. Others, however, reject this brain-based hypothesis, arguing that consciousness cannot be fully explained by neurology alone.
The idea that consciousness is tied to the brain is still just a hypothesis, not a proven theory. While many scientists and philosophers lean toward this view, others argue that consciousness may exist independently of physical structures. Revising the assumption that consciousness is solely a product of the brain opens up new possibilities for understanding consciousness in animals and other beings.
Thought Without Language
One of the most intriguing aspects of consciousness is the ability to think without language. It is easy to assume that thought and language are inseparable, but this is not the case. Many animals—and even humans—demonstrate thought processes that do not rely on linguistic structures. For example, infants, who have not yet developed language, solve problems and engage in activities that suggest they are capable of thought. Similarly, people with severe autism, who may lack a strong grasp of language, still show evidence of thought and problem-solving.
Animals also exhibit thought processes that are independent of language. Cats, for example, seem to solve problems using visual and spatial reasoning rather than words. This is evident when a cat attempts to open a door or retrieve an object. The ability to think without language challenges traditional views that equate thought with verbal expression, expanding our understanding of how thought can occur in non-linguistic beings.
Visual and Non-Verbal Problem Solving
In humans, as in animals, thought is not always linguistic. Visual and non-verbal problem solving is a common cognitive process. I experienced this firsthand while working in the garden, trying to solve the problem of removing stubborn bamboo roots. Without consciously using language, an image of a tool that could help solve the problem came to mind. This form of non-verbal reasoning is an example of how thought can occur without words.
Animals also engage in visual problem-solving. Cats, for instance, use visual cues to assess situations and attempt to solve problems. They may visualize how to reach a toy or figure out how to open a door. This suggests that animals, like humans, are capable of thinking in ways that do not rely on verbal communication.
Consciousness as a Fundamental Property of the Universe
Finally, we must consider the possibility that consciousness is not just limited to complex beings like humans and animals but is instead a fundamental property of the universe. Panpsychism posits that consciousness is as universal as gravity, mass, and energy. If this is the case, then all entities—plants, insects, and even bacteria—may possess some form of consciousness, even if it is vastly different from human experience.
This idea forces us to rethink the hierarchy of consciousness that we often assume. Just as we once thought humans were the only conscious beings, we now recognize consciousness in animals. Panpsychism asks us to consider the possibility that consciousness extends even further—to all forms of life and, perhaps, beyond.
Conclusion
The question of animal consciousness, non-linguistic thinking, and the role of qualia offers profound insight into the nature of intelligence and consciousness itself. While much remains unknown, current evidence suggests that animals experience some form of consciousness, even if it is non-linguistic and fundamentally different from human experience. Furthermore, the possibility that consciousness is a universal property challenges our assumptions and opens up new avenues for exploration. Whether studying the problem-solving abilities of cats or the philosophical implications of panpsychism, one thing is clear: consciousness remains one of the most fascinating and elusive mysteries of existence.