It is hard to say with dogs. They certainly seem to want to appease us when they know they've gone against our will. That is what they would do in a pack structure if they pissed off the alpha. They pretty instinctively do seek to appease and seem to accept whatever treatment a dominant dog will impose. Dogs seek to ameliorate the wrath of superiors by showing submission and acceptance.
That isn't to say they don't exhibit moral behavior. Perhaps what we see in them mirrors our own moral behavior? When we cringe at the possible fallout from an 'immoral' act, perhaps we are harking back to childhood responses toward a parent.
Frankly I just don't understand morality all that well. So it is pretty hard to say if dogs exhibit it too. One thing I think is sure, is they don't turn themselves inside out dwelling on the possible ramifications of hypothetical moral situations. They are much more in the moment than we are. In this at least they are our teachers.
That isn't to say they don't exhibit moral behavior. Perhaps what we see in them mirrors our own moral behavior? When we cringe at the possible fallout from an 'immoral' act, perhaps we are harking back to childhood responses toward a parent.
Frankly I just don't understand morality all that well. So it is pretty hard to say if dogs exhibit it too. One thing I think is sure, is they don't turn themselves inside out dwelling on the possible ramifications of hypothetical moral situations. They are much more in the moment than we are. In this at least they are our teachers.
