Are we right in thinking of humans as “conscious” beings, and animals as “non-conscious” beings? Isn’t animal consciousness much more similar to that of humans than we tend to think it is? Professor Van de Grind will give examples of planning and thinking in various animals. He will argue that much of this intelligent behaviour is accompanied by reportable experiences, and can thus be called “conscious”.
Wim van de Grind is Emeritus Professor Comparative Physiology, Utrecht University
This lecture is part of a series of lectures on ‘consciousness’. The next lecture, on consciousness and language, will be Thursday the 10th of april.