BBC英语阅读和听力：Do animals have emotions? 动物也有情感吗？

眼角微凉的泪

人类有着复杂多样的情感，动物也一样吗？研究表明，不论大小，每种体型的动物都能体会到某种感受。我们是否应更具同理心？

关键词：emotions 情感

正文

When you encounter animals, do you wonder what they’re thinking? Seeing a newborn lamb or a cute puppy might stir up happy emotions in us, but what are they thinking? Does the look on their face and how they behave indicate how they’re feeling – or are they feeling nothing at all?

Humans have a complex range of emotions, but it’s hard to tell what’s going on inside the heads of animals, mainly because they can’t verbalise their feelings. Perhaps it’s pets we think we understand most – as they are the animals we spend a lot of time with and therefore get to know best. Some of us own dogs because they are good companions, are loyal and seem to connect with us. We might even think they love us, although love could just be a human emotion. Professor Kim Bard, an expert in comparative developmental psychology from the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC: “We have a few studies now that actually show, scientifically… that [some] dogs will respond with empathetic concern when their owner – but not a stranger – pretends to cry.” The empathetic ability of cats, however, is harder to work out.

Other non-domesticated animals might have feelings too. Giraffes and whales, for example, are known to experience grief when someone in their group dies. Farm animals we often eat, such as cows and chickens, are also believed to experience pain, joy and other emotions. Their wellbeing is now taken into consideration more. And in the UK, new legislation means all vertebrate animals and crustaceans will be recognised in law as sentient beings. It’s believed even tiny creatures like insects might have emotions as well. Research is beginning to show they experience a wide range of feelings. Writing for BBC Future website, Zaria Gorvett says “they can be optimistic, cynical, or frightened, and respond to pain just like any mammal would.”

Dr Barbara J King, Emerita Professor of Anthropology at the College of William and Mary, told the BBC: “If we understand the profound depths of emotions animals can feel, this should make us question the existence of zoos and slaughterhouses around the world, and rethink those systems.” It does seem all creatures feel emotion, but what is not clear is do they feel the same way as us.

词汇

• stir up 激起（情感）
  
• emotion 情感，情绪
  
• a range of 各种，不同的
  
• verbalise 用语言表达
  
• feelings 情感，感情
  
• companion 同伴，伙伴
  
• connect with 与…合得来，情感相通
  
• empathetic 有同感的，通人情的
  
• concern 担忧
  
• experience 感受，体会
  
• grief 悲痛，悲伤
  
• pain 疼痛，痛苦
  
• joy 喜悦
  
• sentient 有感知能力的
  
• optimistic 乐观的
  
• cynical 持怀疑态度的
  
• frightened 害怕的
  

声明：以上内容来源于网络，如有侵权请联系我们(123@shiyan.com)删除！

人生苦短何须

感谢分享

ZCN0033

转发了

洋葱的泪

关注，必须关注