Episode 405 – Animal Decision-Making

IMG_0688I encounter the same challenges when contemplating any differences between human and animal decision-making, moral, and other “higher” mental processes.  Are human and animal decision-making two separate processes? Or variations on the same theme? As  Ollie ponders whether to play with his ball or take a nap, I ponder how I can walk the anthropomorphic tight rope sans net once again. The primary difference between conscious adult human and animal decision-making seems to be that ours tends to be more process-oriented compared to the purpose orientation of animals. And also of young kids. Does that make kids and animals inferior? Or just more energy-efficient?