this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2024
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It astounds me that people legitimately assume that the other animals on this planet don't feel pain. It seems incredibly obvious to me that they would, or that we should at least be assuming they would.
They assume, at various times, even other humans arent human enough therefore the same concepts (such as pain & suffering) don't really apply.
It's a standard coping mechanism that might be necessary but it's definitely misused by humans for no other reason than greed (especially in times when scarcity isn't really a notable concern).
Half the population lacks the brain functions necessary to feel empathy. We call them conservatives in the US.
No, I'm not kidding
Evolution wise. It makes sense for animals that cannot regrow limbs.
But for some animals it can actually limit their survival.
Unfortunatly human history. Has a habit of deciding based on our needs. Rather then actual evidence.
Its also worth remembering pain is a mental rather then real thing.
So while some creatures may have the signals to inform. Thjoer mind may not respond to it on the same way.
As a human(i assume ;). If you have ever needed to use opiates you may have some idea how that would work.
Yeah, ok, Muad'dib Aurelius. Pain has no physical cause or impact on the body?
It is a signal warning of harm.
Your response is mental. Hence when opiates like tramadol shut of the signa. Receptors you still feel the se station of pain. But do not suffer the same way.
Some pain responses are not mental. The easiest example is withdrawal reflexes. Reflexes don't make it all the way to the brain but use reflex arcs.
You have clearly never experienced extreme pain. The last time I suffered a severe shoulder dislocation was almost like an out-of-body experience. The pain overwhelmed the ability to form coherent thoughts, it was like an electrical storm in my brain. The intuitive motor system took complete control as I writhed around, limbs flinging in random directions. I heard someone scream at the top of his lungs, and only afterwards realised that it was me.
Pain absolutely does have a physical component, and it is not something you can overcome just by practicing meditation. Though, I'm not saying that doesn't help in some scenarios.