Animal Morality

The ecological equity of all higher animals is to survive and thrive with comfort, well-being and security in an ecosystem that promotes their survival. In a world governed by genetically controlled behavior acting in real or near real time, the law of the talon is the general rule. Species have the might and main to fend for themselves, or they flee such creatures. Omnivores eat plants and animals. Carnivores eat animals for the most part, and herbivores are plant eaters. The green plants form the bottom of the food pyramid. All other life is dependent upon the green plants, directly or indirectly. The behavior of higher animals has evolved into many social forms. Social behavior enhances the probability of survival of individuals as well as groups and is well designed for the protection and rearing of the young. This aspect of animal behavior is the prime example of altruistic behavior. Paranoia from the fear of predation is the contrasting behavior mode.

Higher animals are endowed with complex nervous systems which enable them to perceive, understand, and react to complex environmental problems. Vertebrate brains can acquire millions of bits of information simultaneously, process it, and act on it. All higher animals have a gestalt view of their world. Higher animals acquire and communicate information in real time.

Many animals use tools of opportunity and design. A tool of opportunity is a stick used by a bird to extract ants from an ant hill. A tool of design is a bird nest, or the conical trap set in loose sand by the ant lion. Tools of opportunity are used in real time. Animal tools of design are used in near real time.

Many animals travel, unerringly, over long distances during migrations. Animal navigation is still not completely understood, although many of its aspects are known. Chimney swifts will return to the same nest in the same chimney year after year after a return trip from the Amazon. The birds test the nest and if its suitable use it, otherwise they build a new nest.

Higher animals living in real or near real time using their genetic endowment tempered by learning and experience, survive or don't survive depending upon their ability to cope with death inducing factors of their environment including predators. The law of the talon is life and death in the here and now and together with altruism and paranoia is the basis of animal morality.

...Ted Sudia...

© Copyright 1993
Institute for domestic Tranquility