Animal Cognition

Can animals use language? Are animals self-aware? Do animals try to deceive others? Are animals able to reason and make decisions? Can most of animals’ behavior be explained with simple learning mechanisms, making humans uniquely cognitive beings? In this seminar we will explore similarities and differences between animals and humans with regard to their mental abilities. In considering this issue, we will read and discuss scientific studies as well as popular literature anecdotes that examine various aspects of animals’ ability to think, with the goal of assessing how animals’ cognitive abilities compare to humans’. 3 hrs. sem./disc.