Analysis Of Yes, Animals Have Emotions

There are many theories today the support the idea of animals having emotions. I personally believe that ducks have emotions. Many of the class readings such as “Yes, Animals Have Feelings” by Jonathan Balcombe, and Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin support the theory of animals having emotions. My definition of emotion is a state of mind that is based off internal or external circumstances. I started observing ducks to help support my idea the ducks have emotions. By using the readings and combining it with my observations I had a case for ducks having emotions. I am observing changes in behavior or actions that show emotions such as happiness, trust and caring. The article ‘Yes, Animals Have Feelings” by Jonathan Balcombe discusses

The third day I observed the ducks in the evening. I chose this type of method because I could get multiple observations in a small period of time while focusing on many ducks instead of just one. I made observations based on how the ducks interacted with one other based on the situation the ducks were in. The observation were to support ducks have feelings. My hypothesis that ducks have feelings is based off my own observations while using texts from other sources to support it. I used the article “Yes, Animals Have Feelings” which discusses how animals do have feelings to support my hypothesis. Balcombe states, “Their desire for rewards is part of sentience — the capacity to feel” (Balcombe). While observing the ducks I wrote down their behaviors and linked them with an emotion. Some of the emotions I saw in the ducks were happiness, trust, and caring. One of the observations I made was when many of the ducks were in the pond. The ducks would chase each other around in the pond as if they were playing. Before they began chasing each other I watched to see if there was a reason behind it such as taking food away from the other duck or irritating the duck in anyway. I did not notice any type of

One example of a scientist who disagrees with animals having emotions is Daniel Dennett. He believes only humans are capable of consciousness, which includes having emotions. Evidence supporting emotions in animals is a new idea and was usually disregarded until now. I disagree that my observations only show instinctual behaviors. Showing a form of play is not an instinct. There is a reason behind why humans play and it would be the same for animals. Humans do not just play for any reason; they play because it makes them happy. Animals do the same. The ducks were playing to make themselves happy. I would agree that ducks do travel in groups together for long distances. Learning to trust each other to cross a road is not an instinct a duck is born with. The ducks spend hours together and observe the other ducks. Once a duck has watched another duck cross the street they trust that they can do the same. Many animals instinct is to fight for food because they might not know when their next meal is. Duck are caring when it comes to respecting the ducks around them. They do not fight and cause harm to any of the other ducks while going after food. My observations support my thesis that a duck has emotions and is not just