Gadagkar, R (2004) Are Animals Conscious of Their Actions? [Book Chapter]
|
PDF
Gadagkar 2004-Ramakrishna Mission-Kolkata.pdf - Published Version Download (6MB) | Preview |
Abstract
It is of course possible to define consciousness in a manner that automatically excludes animals from consideration. But it is also possible to define consciousness in a manner that makes it possibl e, at least in principle, for animals also to be conscious of the ir actions; only such a definition interests me. The main reason for my prejudice comes from my study of the ants, bees and wasps that live in complex societies wi th social organization, communication, division of labour and an ability to exploit the environment, that parallel human societies in many ways. In this talk I will describe some of th e especially impressive features of insect societies and let the audience decide for itse lf whether the animals I deal with can be thought of as being conscious of their actions. At the outset, I wish to thank the authorities of The Ramakrishna Mission Institute for Culture and Prof. Samir Bhattacharya for inviting me to participate in this fascinating international seminar on Li fe, Mind and Consciousness. I feel honoured to be in · the company of such a distinguished group of scholars and I fee l especially honoured because I am here to represent n-1 species of animals, where n has been estimated to be upwards of 10 million! But I am handicapped, first, because I have to fo llow the most e loquent and erudite presentation by Swami Jitatmanandaji and second because most of us have got used to regarding non-human animals (hereafter referred to s impl y as animals) as significantly 'inferior' to humans. I would, th erefor e, like to begin with a caveat. Although I do not have a precise definition of consciousness, I have my own prejudice about possible definitions. I realise that it is easily possible, and p erhaps even c onvenient, to define consciousness in a manner that a utomatically excludes animals from consideration. However, such a definition does not interest me. I b elieve that it is also possible to define consciousness in a manner that m akes it possible, at least in princi pl e, for animals also to be conscious of their actions; only such a definition interests me.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture |
| Additional Information: | copyright to this article belongs to The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture Kolkata |
| Keywords: | Animal consciousness, Behavioural complextiy, Insect societies, Ants, Agriculture, Primitive wasp society |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Mar 2021 06:11 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Mar 2021 06:11 |
| URI: | http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/68267 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
