A recent TftD discussed an incredible Radak on T'hillim (145:17) regarding the behavior of predators. The main point is summed up with this line:
The lion isn't getting hungry and then looking to kill an animal to fulfill his desire, rather the animal's time to die has arrived, so the lion gets hungry so he can fulfill the Desire of HaShem.
I was/am quite amazed by this Radak and was socializing it this morning in kollel. In particular, I was proposing that therefore, lions are not violent and the sheep they eat are not fearful; they are just doing what they are programmed to do. One the yungaleit took exception, and told me: They are doing what animals do, and that includes predators being violent and their prey feeling fear. So began a very animated and fruitful discussion. Which, in fact, is why I love learning in kollel. These are young men who have dedicated their lives to learning Torah. I am both humbled and delighted that they take the time to help me get on the right track.
But first...
Since this idea of anthropomorphizing animal behavior is an old canard, I decided to do a little internet research to see what the modern scientific view on this topic really is. I was not disappointed! I simply typed in "Do animals feel fear?" You are welcome to do the same. Here's the executive summary:
While we can't ask the animals what they are feeling, we do find behavioral, physiological, and neurological responses that are highly consistent with what those would be in a human feeling fear. These include freezing/flattened ears, hair standing on end, avoidance behaviors, increased heart rate, changes in breathing, responses in the same part of the animal brain that correspond to similar parts in a human brain. The evidence is so strong, that ignoring conclusion is now referred to as "anthropodenial" -- the willful blindness to any human-like characteristics in animals.
Whoo! Sounds bad for my stance, no? Well... suppose I were to take one of those Boston Robotics robot dogs... or maybe even wait for the few more iterations. They are very sophisticated robots. Even their "brain" is not a single microprocessor; it is a network (very tiny network, to be sure) of specialized function microprocessors to handle balance, sensory input, planning and preparation, etc. Don't you think we could measure analogous responses in those robots and see similar correlations? After all, each one of those responses is clearly associated with a flight/fight response, which is a key element in survival. Any entity which is hardwired to protect itself would surely exhibit those responses when presented with a threat. Would I be libeled/labeled as "anthropodenial" if I insisted those robots don't feel fear, not any other emotion, for that matter?
Back to seeming disagreement the yungaliet and I had. As we continued our discussion, we realized that when he said "felt fear", he meant that it would exhibit those responses. Of course I agree with that. When I said, "It doesn't feel fear", I meant that the animal would feel mental anguish, as a person would. Of course, he agreed. Now we understood that we had come from different directions, but really meant the same thing. One thing left: So why does the predator look so cruel? Why does the prey seem to be suffering?
Because we live in an imperfect world. There is death because we live in an imperfect world. There is suffering because we live in an imperfect world. The lion and lamb are part of the system. When we see that system responding like that, it points to the underlying cause. We are cruel, so there is cruelty in the world. Our Shabbos observance is lacking, so Klal Yisrael can get attacked in Shabbos.
Ultimately, we, Klal Yisrael, have the merit to bring the world to its perfection. HaShem, though the tapestry of nature, shows us where work still needs to be done. Yet, through it all, it is done with righteousness, integrity, and kindness.
צַדִּ֣יק ה' בְּכָל־דְּרָכָ֑יו וְ֜חָסִ֗יד בְּכָל־מַֽעֲשָֽׂיו: HaShem is righteous in all His ways, all His actions exhibit kindness.
Just for completeness, here is the complete definitions of anthropodenial:
Anthropodenial, a term coined by primatologist Frans de Waal, describes the tendency to deny or overlook the human-like qualities of animals or the animal-like qualities of humans. It's a form of bias that can lead to a reluctance to acknowledge shared characteristics and emotions between species. This can manifest as dismissing animal intelligence or emotional depth or conversely, overstating human uniqueness.
Ah... now you might think that describes me. After all, I do believe with perfect faith that humans are not animals, but are a unique creature with the potential to aspire to a direct and eternal relationship with the Creator. But look carefully at that definition. I am not overlooking, nor overstating; I am simply looking at the data without bias and not taking their bait. I learned that from my grandfather, may he rest in peace, who really set me on the path of intellectual honesty that led me to a profound faith in the Torah. You can read more about in a previous TftD: Using Science in Support of Avodas HaShem.
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