Do Animals Enjoy Life?
Perhaps they enjoy more than humans.
Animals' Enjoyment of Life
Is it possible that animals derive more pleasure from their lives than humans do? The truth is, sometimes it seems that way. As I work away on a task, I see the horses, cats, chickens, and even the wild pigeons all basking in the sun, seemingly filled with joy and contentment. This scene only serves to heighten my jealousy.
Understanding Animal Enjoyment
When animals eat when they are hungry, rest when they are tired, and engage in mating when the urge strikes, they exhibit behavior that seems indistinguishable from human experiences. However, we cannot directly enter into the mind of an animal to truly understand what they are feeling. Our understanding of their experiences comes from a self-centered perspective. Even the closest humans can only speculate about the experiences of others, making assumptions based on our own feelings and the shared evolutionary history of the species.
Empathy and speculation allow us, to some extent, to infer that animals might experience similar feelings. For instance, a human's jealousy could be more intense, while a tiger's excitement during a hunt might be far more heightened. Our own enjoyment and pain scale is wide, ranging from selfish happiness to selfless sacrifice, and all these experiences are largely based on our intellect and anticipation of future events.
The Nature of Animal Enjoyment
Compared to humans, animals do not have the capacity for extrapolation in their feelings. Instead, their emotions are instinctual and immediate. Even in higher animals like elephants, any form of extrapolation is limited to short periods. Their enjoyment or suffering is experienced in the moment, without long-term expectations or anticipations. In this sense, all living forms on Earth have an equal right to enjoy and experience life.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, every living creature has the right to live and experience happiness in their own way. Whether it's a tiger's hunt or a chicken's comfort, all forms of life carry the intrinsic desire to experience joy and contentment. By understanding and respecting the unique forms of enjoyment found in the animal world, we can enrich our own lives with a greater sense of empathy and appreciation for the diversity of creation.