Consciousness

[Max_Kolbe]

"It's very likely that most mammals have consciousness, and probably birds, too."
Richard Dawkins

How might one go about to prove that?

[CleanShavenJesus]

By watching an animal for more than 30 seconds, I suppose.

[ITChick]

Have you ever had a dog? Cat? Any pet?

You have your answer right there.

[Max_Kolbe]

Have you ever had a dog? Cat? Any pet?

You have your answer right there.

My question is, how does one prove that animals have consciousness. How does watching a pet prove that they are conscious?

What is consciousness? How do we know what it is? How does one prove consciousness? How does one prove that animals have it?

What would the method be for finding out? If I wrote a scientific article about it I wouldn't simply write "watch a dog."

[FlyingNarwhal]

In my opinion, consciousness is when you can think outside of what you want or how things relate to you. I also think that symbolism is a good indicator of consciousness.

[CleanShavenJesus]

Consciousness is the the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings. Refer to my last post in this topic.

[Walking Void]

If they could communicate and We could translate that information into something We understand, animals could inform us that they think creatively.

If an animal has a sense of autonomy that can be proven, I would agree with them having a conscious.

[Max_Kolbe]

Consciousness is the the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings. Refer to my last post in this topic.

Is consciousness all three: awake, aware and surroundings?

For example when a person is asleep and dreaming, he/she may be aware of his/her surroundings in the dream, but is that consciousness?

[CleanShavenJesus]

Consciousness is the the state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings. Refer to my last post in this topic.

Is consciousness all three: awake, aware and surroundings?

For example when a person is asleep and dreaming, he/she may be aware of his/her surroundings in the dream, but is that consciousness?

You are not aware of your surroundings when you are asleep. Your awareness of your dream self inside of your own dreams is expected and irrelvant.

[Whateverist]

"It's very likely that most mammals have consciousness, and probably birds, too."
Richard Dawkins

How might one go about to prove that?

Given that we are mammals, the less extravagant assumption is that the quality of consciousness experienced by other mammals would be substantially similar to our own. So barring any conclusive evidence on either side that would be the more reasonable assumption.

Of course, it is likely that no other mammal or bird engages in discursive thought using symbolic language. Then again it isn't entirely clear whether that is an advantage or loss for us. Probably it is both.