Chimpanzees mourn at burial of elderly relative . . . .

by nicolaou 33 Replies latest social current

• 

  Robdar

  Even if all that is true. I think it's quite a leap to characterize their behavior as "mourning" as in the same a people. I think you're attributing human traits to them that they aren't able to relate to.

  Researchers believe that much of our emotional makeup is chemical. Many animals share the same chemicals as humans.

  A mother, after birth and during suckling, produces oxytocin and prolactin and these chemicals help her bond to her new baby. Her hormones help to produce a loving feeling towards her infant. Other mammals produce these same hormones. If chemical reactions help produce a loving feeling within a human, could they not also produce the same feelings in other mammals?

  There is all sorts of research being done on the emotional lives of animals. All you have to do is google.

  http://www.jeffreymasson.com/animal-books/when-elephants-weep.html

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FRsWP4tQh4
• 

  villabolo

  DD: "Even if all that is true. I think it'squite a leapto characterize their behavior as "mourning" as in the same a people. I think you're attributing human traits to them that they aren't able to relate to."

  I would characterize their behaviour as being roughly equivalent to human children. Also, as far as projecting human traits is concerned I think that it's more appropriate to see it as a general behaviour shared by all intelligent social animals with humans having the best developed concept of "death awareness". We may be more advanced than these animals in our awareness of death but that is a quantitative difference not a qualitative one.

  villabolo
• 

  Deputy Dog

  villabolo

  We may be more advanced than these animals in our awareness of death but that is a quantitative difference not a qualitative one.

  But how much of an awareness of death is required to have that deep since of loss that is necessary to cause "mourning" as humans understand it?

  Being aware isn't the same as understanding.
• 

  Satanus

  'how much of an awareness of death is required to have that deep since of loss that is necessary to cause "mourning" as humans understand it?

  Being aware isn't the same as understanding.'

  You are right. Since they are most likely not christian chimps, they are handicapped in their understanding of death. They might be buddhist, or some kind of pagan chimps.

  S
• 

  Deputy Dog

  S

  You are right. Since they are most likely not christian chimps, they are handicapped in their understanding of death. They might be buddhist, or some kind of pagan chimps.

  Very funny!

  Do you think little children can mourn? If so at what age?
• 

  Satanus

  My guess would be at a surprisingly young age. Something to research.

  S
• 

  nicolaou

  DD: Let's be clear, chimps are not human and they do not have human emotions. But surely you aren't going to deny that these highly social, intelligent creatures feel something when a member of their family/troop dies. 'Dorothy' may have been with them for 30 years, why are you so resistant to the idea that they might have humanlike emotions such as grief or loss?

  Animals mourn - not like we do but like they do!
• 

  daniel-p

  What the hell does "tangible silence" mean? lol...
• 

  John Doe

  Main Entry: 1 tan·gi·ble Pronunciation: \ ' tan-j?-b?l\ Function: adjective Etymology: Late Latin tangibilis, from Latin tangere to touch Date: 1589

  1 a: capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch :palpableb: substantially real :material
  2: capable of being precisely identified or realized by the mind <her grief was tangible>
  3: capable of being appraised at an actual or approximate value <tangible assets>

  synonyms see perceptible

  — tan·gi·bil·i·ty \ ? tan-j?- ' bi-l?-te\ noun

  — tan·gi·ble·ness \ ' tan-j?-b?l-n?s\ noun

  — tan·gi·bly \-ble\ adverb

  Main Entry: 1 si·lence Pronunciation: \ ' si-l?n(t)s\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin silentium, from silent-, silens Date: 13th century

  1: forbearance from speech or noise :muteness —often used interjectionally
  2: absence of sound or noise :stillness <in the silence of the night>
  3: absence of mention: a:oblivion, obscurityb:secrecy <weapons research was conducted in silence>

  So, tangible silence is an absence of sound or noise that is capable of being preciesely identified or realized by the mind.
• 

  babygirl75

  awwww...how sad! It's a moving photo.

  Side note...I wanna little white face capuchin for x-mas.!!!