Paper Abstract
20 pages in length. When one considers the concept of consciousness, it is with great hesitation that its traits are attributed to those who represent the animal kingdom. However, what mankind has typically done is employ the human form of consciousness when applying it to animals, making it quite difficult for them to meet up to such an adaptation. Indeed, while animals may not possess the prerequisites for human consciousness, which not only include awareness of external events or phenomena, but also of one's own feelings, beliefs, and mental events, they do harbor their own form of consciousness that often transcends mankind's reality-based existence. That humans are able to reason and communicate through spoken language does in no way preclude the rest of the animal kingdom from also inherently possessing a distinct and definite consciousness; just because man believes that he is the only species to maintain a state of consciousness is no proof that it does not exist elsewhere. The writer defends the position of consciousness in animals. Bibliography lists 16 sources.
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