Re: Do other species feel love?

On Aug 31, 10:33 am, UC <uraniumcommit...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Aug 31, 10:24 am, "chris.linthomp...@xxxxxxxxx"



<chris.linthomp...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Aug 31, 6:07 am, Kippers <ro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Do other species feel love?

There occasionally exists a need in nature for a monogamous (or close
to monogamous) bonding of opposite sexes of the same species. As I
understand it these bonds exist when a large amount of male parental
investment is required in the upbringing of the couples's offspring.
My question is what causes these two non-kin individuals to behave in
this way?

It is obviously very difficult, if not impossible, to know what
emotions other species feel, nevertheless I would like to know if
there have been any studies or if anyone on this board has opinions or
insights on the subject. Personally I suspect many of our emotions
evolved a long time ago and are shared by many other mammals at
least.

I have not looked into this, which is why I am asking the question
here, but I would expect love to be an emotion shared by other species
which require large amounts of male parental investment. As I see it,
that is a very effective method --which we know has evolved-for
encouraging large amounts of altruistic behavior to non-kin from a
male who is biologically capable of producing many more offspring to
different females.

Triggering an emotional response in an animal seems to me an ideal way
of encouraging that animal to be faithful and give up resources to its
mate for the benefit of its offspring. Note I am not talking about
the need to belong to a group or be surrounded by other members of the
same species but the desire to show extra altruism to a specific non-
kin member of the same species. Can instincts really cause this
behavior in animals such as foxes and marmosets? It may be possible
but I see it as an emotional response and what emotion is better
suited to elicit such a response than love?

We have a 6-month old puppy. If it's not love he's showing when we
get home from work, I am at a complete loss to explain it.

Don't be so fucking naïve.

Do you really think emotions are unique to humans?

You're a sad person.

Chris


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