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Life as a Dog

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pampoon
I have an almost ten-year-old cocker spaniel. The other day I was letting her run around in my back yard, and I started thinking about how the world looks through her eyes, besides the fact that there is no color. One thing led to another in my head and then the question occurred to me: Would life be better (in the aspect of happiness and fulfillment) if we humans were like dogs and other animals in that we would not know what was happening tomorrow or next week; or, if life as it is now is better for us (in the same above aspect).

Basically: Would it be better for humans not to be able to tell how their decisions would affect others?

As I've said, I've had the dog for quite a while, and she seems to be very happy and satisfied with the smallest things like a nice belly-rub or a new bone to chew on. She doesn't know what's going to happen to her tomorrow. She can't conclude, from the current events and situations, whether her choices will affect anything or anyone. Yet, she is still happy.

It is just a thought I had. To me, the human population spends much more time in agony over the consequences of their decisions (both past and future), rather than living their lives. I just thought it would be nice to hear what you all have to say about it.
ocalhoun
pampoon wrote:

Basically: Would it be better for humans not to be able to tell how their decisions would affect others?

But animals can tell how their decisions will affect others... at least on a basic level.

As for if it would be better to be an animal or not... I think you know my answer to that one! ^.^
deanhills
pampoon wrote:
It is just a thought I had. To me, the human population spends much more time in agony over the consequences of their decisions (both past and future), rather than living their lives. I just thought it would be nice to hear what you all have to say about it.
I really liked your posting as it has been going through my head too, lots of times. I truly believe that ignorance is bliss. Our minds and need of "knowing" can be torture and sometimes a living hell. We don't seem to have a choice in the matter however. It comes with out territory. We seem to be cast into the role of caretakers as a consequence, some of us doing it good and others not so good and even badly. Driving us even more crazy as we then need to set up rules and regulations and have some sort of justice system to equalize things. Things have to be just that much simpler when you are a dog with unconditional love. The species that I really admire though are birds, imagine if you can fly like the eagles do, you have lots of space around you all the time.
Vrythramax
pampoon wrote:
... Basically: Would it be better for humans not to be able to tell how their decisions would affect others?


I have to agree with ocalhoun to a point. Some animals can sense how their actions will be perceived (ex. your dog peeing on the floor knows he is going to get in trouble), but I don't think they can conceptualize how their actions will actually effect others or any long term recognition. I think that requires a higher order of intelligence...a conscience perhaps?

In answer to your question though, I would have to say that it would really depend on the individual. Some people take things really to heart and their actions, or in-actions, can create genuine feelings spanning the entire emotional range. So for them ignorance could be a form of bliss as it would release them from intense feelings. On the other hand, there are some who show honest and complete apathy to any given situation...they just don't give a rat's butt about anything. For them it wouldn't matter if they were aware of the consequences of their actions or not.

I think it is a good thing for people to be aware of, and respond to, how their actions effect others. Hopefully it would help guide them to make the right choices. Sounds rather like what was described to me as "maturity" by my parents as I was growing up.

Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (English: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") ...thinking sure sounds like a good idea to me Smile
Bluedoll
a dogs life we lead . . . by Bluedoll

Ignorance is bliss or so it may seem. The pursuit of happiness certainly may not be enhanced by decision making challenges for with “great power comes great responsibility”, in fact all our abilities to reason could be considered stresses and worry machines.

I do think however that the life of a dog although a dog may be content exists exclusively on having basic needs met, as does ours. We do have that in common. A hungry dog eventually in time will unite with other hungry dogs in packs to hunt and fulfill its needs. If hunting is not successful they will become more aggressive and less satisfied with the life they lead.

Therefore in conclusion, would it be ok to say that although we have qualities which allow us to project into the future which can promote negative results like worry that without these wonderful characteristics we could be worse off than we are?

Perhaps the secret to happiness is not longing to live the life of a dog but to use our life and what we have in a more positive way? Or we could watch rover and maybe see if he has a better idea.
ocalhoun
I think what you really long for is freedom from responsibility...


That can be achieved... but in order to have it, you'll usually have to give up a lot of luxury as well... You have to choose; do you want all your superfluous stuff, or do you want few demands put upon you?

'Tyler Durton' wrote:

Millions of people working their entire lives at jobs they hate, so that they can buy stuff they don't need


Thoreau wrote:

and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.



(For those who may be wondering, this does embody some of the more practical aspects of the 'philosophy system' I'm working on.)
deanhills
Vrythramax wrote:
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (English: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") ...thinking sure sounds like a good idea to me Smile
I've always been with Descartes' "Cognito ergo sum", "I think therefore I am". But this one really makes much better sense to me. Good stuff ... Smile
Vrythramax
deanhills wrote:
Vrythramax wrote:
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (English: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") ...thinking sure sounds like a good idea to me Smile
I've always been with Descartes' "Cognito ergo sum", "I think therefore I am". But this one really makes much better sense to me. Good stuff ... Smile


OK...after actually looking it up...I stand corrected. Mine was a common mis-quote. Sad

(but I still like it better) Razz
deanhills
Vrythramax wrote:
deanhills wrote:
Vrythramax wrote:
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (English: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am") ...thinking sure sounds like a good idea to me Smile
I've always been with Descartes' "Cognito ergo sum", "I think therefore I am". But this one really makes much better sense to me. Good stuff ... Smile


OK...after actually looking it up...I stand corrected. Mine was a common mis-quote. Sad

(but I still like it better) Razz
Laughing Laughing Laughing Well, you got me! I thought it was a legitimate quote by some ancient person I had not discovered yet. Maybe you can coin it and I can quote is as from Max? Laughing
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