Are non-human animals conscious?

... CONSCIOUSNESS Are non-human animals conscious? Introduction: Are non-human animals conscious? Well, maybe. In investigating animal consciousness the null position is that they are not. Therefore, to answer the question we must either prove that they are, or provide an alternative explanation for evidence suggesting animal consciousness. Of course, this depends on what consciousness is. The Nature of Consciousness Consciousness can be defined as being aware to one's surroundings and identity. But such a definition is unable to encompass the entirety of the concept, so it is better to describe the forms in which consciousness comes and avoid what Dennett has called the 'heartbreak of premature definition'. We can be 'consciously aware' of a pain or a bird flying past. Both are sensed by unconscious, physiological mechanisms, interpreted, and are presented to our consciousness. We might suddenly remember a past memory. We can consciously think about a problem and work out the solution, or we

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