Of Lions and Dogs: They Can Remember, Have Emotions, and Feel Compassion

Since human beings have evolved from the lower animals we would expect the lower animals to exhibit some of the traits we have developed more fully. There is plenty of evidence they can remember, have emotions, and feel compassion. They also know in limited ways that they are doing wrong. I see this in my cat every day. When we say no he throws a temper tantrum. Some dogs poop on the carpet when neglected to get our attention, if we're gone too long. This evidence bolsters the claim that morality evolved and it also presents theists with what I call "The Darwinian Problem of Evil." Why do they suffer so much if a perfectly good God exists?



2 comments:

MC said...

"Lower animals"? The Christian, pre-Darwinian notion of the scala naturae is best relegated to the superstitious age from which it came.

LadyAtheist said...

And cows:

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=103208