I have a weird feeling most animals think a lot; it's not just instinct, or Behaviorism. I also have a weird feeling as humans we attribute too much of our actions to thinking, and not enough to instinct and Behaviorism? I still have
huge issues with strict Behaviorists though. My Psychiatrist practices subtle reinforcement techniques, and they never worked, but I just can't tell him; he's a nice guy. I think he needs to validate his fees, in order to keep his own sanity?
Can I prove it--no! I just never bought those philosophy/psychology
instructors who really tried to teach me animals don't think.
The older I get the more humans look like apes. I think my
decline in testosterone is playing a part in the way I look
at the world? The mystery of it all is fading--sadly--in humans and humanity. But the animal world is more fascinating than ever!
I am happily waiting for the first mammal to speak it's mind! I wish I could be around when it happens.
I have never seen anything to suggest that the 'inner world' of a member of some other Species, would be any smaller than or less varied and interesting, than my own.
Humans tend to be occupied in neurosis, and subterfuge, more than anything else.
While other species are largely occupied with 'Nous'...and thus, would be far more elegant in their mental process and decision making and overall ontological 'poise', than people generally are.
I've thought about this as well.
A lot of the things I do don't really seem to be thought or thinking but instinct, with rationalization later.
Lately I've been wondering if people think or animals actually "think". Perhaps everything we do extends from some kind of simple instinct in the case of insects to an extremely advanced form of instinct humans, primates, corvids, etc.
We ignore birds and octopus.