Posted on 05/16/2009 4:22:51 PM PDT by JoeProBono
For centuries, humans have imagined they are the only animals with morals. But humans are not alone in the moral arena, a new breed of behavior experts says. Natural historian Jake Page said some scientists are acknowledging what pet owners have told their canines all along: "Good dog."
Dogs are full of natural goodness and have rich emotional lives, said animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
A dog's code of ethics is on display daily in parks, backyards and family rooms. "We're not trying to elevate animals," Bekoff said. "We're not trying to reduce humans. We're not saying we're better or worse or the same. We're saying we're not alone in having a nuanced moral system." Page, author of "Do Dogs Smile?," said biology no longer dismisses dogs and other animals as "furry automatons" driven by instinct and food. "People like Bekoff have figured out how to measure these things," Page said. "It's a whole new ballgame for studying dog personalities and emotions." Bekoff, co-author of "Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals," spent thousands of hours observing coyotes, wolves and dogs. He analyzed videotapes frame by frame. The work convinced him these animals possess empathy and compassion, the emotions upon which moral sense is built. While much the same can be said of monkeys, wolves, elephants, dolphins, whales and other social animals, dogs are special cases; they share in human lives, he said. "Dogs know they are dependent. They learn to read us," Bekoff said.
"Dogs develop this great sense of trust. We're tightly linked, and there is something spiritual about that unity."
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
They eat their own poop too. Not sure if this has anything to do whith them having a soul but it sure is gross.
Darn tootin!
“True, but wild and domesticated beasts are quite different in temperament. “
True, but not much is worse than a pack of dogs gone wild. Dogs are wonderful creatures when properly controlled. Once they’ve gone wild they are nasty nasty nasty.
Curiously, I do.
;^)
Just preparing a dinner plate...
Curiouser and curiouser... LOL! :)
Amen.
I try my best to stop telling God how to do things, I often fail miserably. LOL....just like a child.
Blessed is his patience understanding, and mercy.
what a cutie.. is that yours?
good post sir!
Mine.
good for you!!!! lovely face & want to just give him/her a big hug!
What about Squirrels? If so, I am sending multitudes to heaven this year, at least one a day. These rats with tails are overrunning us. My dog helps me. Good Dog! Where is the soul cut off? Cats and below?
Billy Graham said he does believe dogs go to heaven. Billy Graham responded to a child’s question, “Will my dog, who died this week, be in Heaven?” Graham replied, “If it would make you any happier, then yes, he will be.”
Do dogs’ souls have fleas?
No, silly. Dog souls are ridden by flea souls. Duh.
Why do you only ask this question of someone who believes dogs do have souls? Those that say the don’t are also claiming to know God’s aim. Think about that.
Adding these comments to your others is truly showing. Don’t worry though, Lord willing I’ll have room in my part of heaven for your animals.
Oooooooh, you’re going to get flamed for that!
I agree, though. I love my dogs dearly, but they’re still just dogs.
You could say the same thing about people, actually. If you don't "socialize" them properly, teach them respect for other people's lives, liberty, and property, people get "nasty nasty nasty" too.
Like the crowd currently holding power in Washington, for instance.
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