Single Idea 4888

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / B. Features of Minds / 1. Consciousness / f. Higher-order thought]

Full Idea

It seems quite plausible to me that many animals have experiences without knowing about them.

Gist of Idea

It seems plausible that many animals have experiences without knowing about them

Source

John Perry (Knowledge, Possibility and Consciousness [2001], §3.1)

Book Reference

Perry,John: 'Knowledge, Possibility and Consciousness' [MIT 2001], p.48


A Reaction

I agree, which makes us acknowledge levels of consciousness, which probably applies to human experience as well. The simplest idea is to distinguish between experiences which involve concepts, and those which don't. Animals sometimes appear surprised.