A fifty foot female Humpback whale gets caught in ropes; she is so tangled that her tail is dragged downwards. The ropes are caught around her whole body, including her eyes. Divers are called in to free the whale, which eventually they do. But once released, rather than just swimming off, she comes up to each diver separately, raises her head above the surface, and looks into their eyes. It’s a pretty remarkable story and you can’t help feeling that the whale was thanking the divers. But was she? Can a whale understand the concept of gratitude?
Transferring human emotions onto animals is also the focus of Werner Herzog’s brilliant documentary, Grizzly Man. A young man, Timothy Treadwell, escapes his own demons by living in close proximity with a group of Grizzly Bears – with grizzly consequences. Taking a comedic view on the relationship we have with animals is this brilliant skit from Fry & Laurie (thanks Mum).
So, is it arrogant of humans to assume animals understand our emotional portfolio? I date a Vegan, have been catching and killing fish since the age of seven, like eating meat, hate the idea of animals killed in inhumane circumstances, like domestic pets, owned ponies and have a problem with people who breed pedigree dogs. I have complex and unresolved feelings about how I interact in the world with animals.
This meant I was VERY interested in the documentary called Animal Minds on WNYC’s Radiolab. It’s an hour dedicated to the psychology and science of animal minds. Do animals have souls? Do dogs feel guilty for bad behaviour? CAN a whale feel gratitude? I suggest you have a listen and find out for yourself.
Radiolab is hosted by Jad Abumrad and the somewhat brilliant Robert Krulwich. They cover some of the big issues like time and morality and provide the arguments of science and philosophy. But they are fun to listen with a freeform style. Though the opening credits are bit annoying, once you are over them you are guaranteed an interesting and entertaining listen.
Can be downloaded for free off their site or iTunes.
Comments