Humanizing Animals

Discussion in 'Science & Society' started by Orleander, Apr 19, 2009.

  1. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Is it a mental illness to humanize animals? If people treat a dog like a child, call themselves Mommy or Daddy to little Fido are they mentally ill?
     
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  3. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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  5. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Is it just cultural?
    Is it more women than men doing it?
     
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  7. StrangerInAStrangeLand SubQuantum Mechanic Valued Senior Member

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    It fulfills natural normal needs which are otherwise unsatified. It's not harmful unless taken to an extreme.
     
  8. takandjive Killer Queen Registered Senior Member

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    I think it's natural, to some degree. It's working well for my cat.
     
  9. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Humans tend to imprint on them as a pseudo-baby. This isn't quite natural behavior, but then again, humans live in an unnatural environment. The natural part is to imprint on an actual baby, but often pets exhibit stronger child-like properties than a real baby. The small ones don't grow up, and remain dependent on us. They have large eyes, flat faces, and soft hair because they have been humanized by breeding long before we humanize them as our personal pet.
     
  10. vhawk Registered Member

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    not mentally ill as such- anthropomorphism occurs when humans identify with animals- you might call it projection- we all identify and project but if everyone is nuts, no-one is nuts
     
  11. mikenostic Stop pretending you're smart! Registered Senior Member

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    I love my dogs. I do consider them family members. While I call them my children, it's purely a metaphorical term. I fully understand that they are dogs and I have to treat them like dogs. If I start humanizing them and treating them like a human, they will not understand me and it would make raising/training them and teaching them new things difficult.
     
  12. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    what do you consider too much?
     
  13. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    I would think it would make them psychotic. LOL Pets are not humans, they don't think like humans.
    Its what Caesar Milan is rich
     
  14. mikenostic Stop pretending you're smart! Registered Senior Member

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    I bet it would make them psychotic.
    It's definitely why Cesar Millan is rich.
    I should find out if he teaches any seminars.
     
  15. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Hmmm, humans have gender identity issues. I wonder if pets have species identity issues.
     
  16. Norsefire Salam Shalom Salom Registered Senior Member

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    I do think it is absurd. This doesn't mean one cannot have animal companions, but "pet" is not a term I like.


    These animals do not exist for your amusement or to be your pets; the dog you think is cute does not like you. It likes what you give it. Realize that these animals are exactly that, animals, and like the human animal, survival is their number one. They are ultimately competitors.

    Do you think the puppy looks at you and says "aw look at that cute human?". No.
     
  17. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    I disagree.
     
  18. Norsefire Salam Shalom Salom Registered Senior Member

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    If you did not feed your dog it would leave. It is a practical relationship for the dog, not an emotional one.

    It likes you in so far as you are valuable.
     
  19. CutsieMarie89 Zen Registered Senior Member

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    But don't other animals do it too? Both males and females find young animals of other species and then raise them as their own. It can't be that unnatural can it? My dog leaves some of his own food out for the birds.
     
  20. CutsieMarie89 Zen Registered Senior Member

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    If they love you no they would not, it would just starve.
     
  21. CutsieMarie89 Zen Registered Senior Member

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    How do you know what dogs think? Have they told you their personal opinions?
     
  22. Norsefire Salam Shalom Salom Registered Senior Member

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    But they don't love you.

    Apart from some primates and perhaps a handful of other species, most of the life on earth is incapable of feeling emotions as complex as humans, and are largely not even self aware.

    They are simply complex chemical reactions; like humans, true, but humans are self aware, complex, and we are more than instinct

    Their intelligence and cognitive ability isn't enough to experience what we experience
     
  23. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Most everyone would like to share their love and affection with someone but many times they cannot find anyone to do so with. Instead they many times buy a pet to give them their love and attention to satisfy their own needs, not the animals. Most domesticated animals will be loving and affectionate with anyone that feeds the, not because they love their owners but because they are being fed. Most people do not understand that the wagging tail, jumping up and down and other such loving characteristics are just the animals way of getting fed or being taken care of somehow.
     

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