Do Animals Have Emotions? A Tufts Animal Behavior Expert Says They Do
Tufts' Nick Dodman Says Centuries Of Scientific Beliefs About Animal Intelligence May Be Wrong

No. Grafton, Mass. -- For centuries, scientists have believed that animals have no intelligence -- just instincts and training. But a Tufts animal behavior expert says those long-standing assumptions may be wrong.

   "There's no doubt that animals have intelligence: they can learn and act on what they learn," Tufts' Nick Dodman told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

   But their "intelligence" may extend beyond learning; Dodman says animals may also experience emotions.

   "There's some very convincing evidence about animal emotions," the Tufts expert told the Montreal Gazette. "I have no doubt that they sense fear, and they seem to experience pleasure."

   Dodman's research on animal emotions appears to reverse long-held beliefs by many scientists, dating back to Rene Decartes in the 17th century, reports the Inquirer. But the next great debate -- whether animals are self-aware -- is long from settled, Dodman said. "There are disbelievers, but animals can't talk to us to tell us."

Posted 01-04-01