Can Animals Love

wannabedamned · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:25

Well, Me and my girlfriend have had 2 cats for 3 years, We split up about 8 months ago, and she left. And I was living with the 2 cats. Now they purr, and cuddle and they are so nice with me. Loving and affectionate.

But my ex came to visit recently, and the 2 cats couldn't care less she was there. But 8 months previously, they were just as loving and affectionate with her as they are me.

Why is that?

Sarduk · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:27

No its not.

Tefal · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:28

wannabedamned said:
Why is that?

They've probbably forgotten who the **** she is.

Azagoth · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:28

Have you never seen a male Dolphin sticking his purple headed womb broom into another's blowhole?

Of course they can love.

Street · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:29

Tefal said:
2)go cut up some kittens

To the laboratory!!!

UKDTweak · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:30

Animals can love, perhaps not to the degree humans do, but then love is a word made up by humans after all?

wannabedamned · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:31

Tefal said:
They've probbably forgotten who the **** she is.

I thought that was possibly it. I'm just not sure when it comes to memories in pets. I guess they dont have long term memories like us, Or atleast not to such a degree. I just didnt think 8 months after 3 years of constantly being with the cats would be enough to forget.

Burnsy2023 · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:32

Tefal said:
Where did you drag that from?

Things we know about the surface of the moon are pretty basic, but thats because theres little to know about it it's a simple thing.

We know far far more things about the brain, just theres a hell of a lot of other stuff too.

So we know a large percentage of what there is to know about the surface of the brain, yet a very small percentage of what there is to know about the brain.

My point stands.

Burnsy

Tefal · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:33

UKDTweak said:
Animals can love,

What are you basing that on?

I see no neurochemical anylysis of a kittens brain! Away with you!

perhaps not to the degree humans do, but then love is a word made up by humans after all?

So is death, table, and computer.

Tefal · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:34

Burnsy2023 said:
So we know a large percentage of what there is to know about the surface of the brain, yet a very small percentage of what there is to know about the brain.

My point stands.

Burnsy

Percentages mean jack **** though.

We know far more things about the brain than the moon.

If i get 10% of 1 million pounds do i get more than a guy who gets 99% of 10 quid?

Reginald · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:35

Animals caaan love... giggety

Burnsy2023 · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:37

Tefal said:
Percentages mean jack **** though.

No they don't, they're a quantifyable means to prove a point.

The whole point of my statement, is that we know very little about the brain in the whole scope of things.

Burnsy

LOAM · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:51

Tefal said:
If i get 10% of 1 million pounds do i get more than a guy who gets 99% of 10 quid?

yes, youve got 100 grand, hes got £9.90. You win (by quite a lot)

Tefal · 26 Aug 2008 at 16:52

LOAM said:
yes

Thank you, that was the point i was trying to make

Burt · 26 Aug 2008 at 17:02

As requested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsCXZczTQXo

P.S. The answer is no.

Runbalk · 26 Aug 2008 at 18:50

Probably impossible to know the answer. And scanning something's brain for patterns etc. will only get you so far i.e. it's not the same as literally experiencing their thoughts, emotions, etc. Technically we all take it on faith that everyone around us thinks, feels, etc. - "what is reality?" and all that jazz.

nikebee · 26 Aug 2008 at 19:11

<Frankie Boyle>
I'd shag an owl... because what ever position you took it from you'd always have eye contact...
Or shag a kitten... could you imagine having sex with something you actually wanted to cuddle afterwards
</Frankie Boyle>