Before I get hosed with massive "Boo this man" or "pointless thread" I'm being 100 percent serious when I ask is there any evidence of other animals besides humans committing suicide under normal circumstances? The question comes from one of my professors in sociology talking about death in society and for some reason went on to talk about how when he was young he had an crazy pet monkey. And that one day he found the monkey asphyxiated, hanging from pieces of a ball the monkey tore up, and to him he was convinced he was a depressed due to being caged and thus ending his life. He got a laugh out of the class but wasn't fishing out for laughter when he told the story. That idea has always for some reason stuck out and has to this day peaked my interest on the subject on suicide in animals? I mean animals show emotions but are humans the only species that suffer from suicidal depression in a natural environment? I say natural environment because I have found isolated examples in zoos were some species have stopped eating or caused physical harm towards themselves. Such as these little jems (Tarsiers) The tarsiers have been known to become suicidal in a caged environment so the capacity of depression is there, but has there every been any evidence of this found in the wild? I have found some articles on the subject but in most I couldn't find what some of the authors used for references, and most just ask the question. Any help with my pondering? And no lemmings don't count and to beat the inevitable ..........
No, there isn't suicide in other "animals." Humans are just cowards to walk away from problems like that, unlike animals. There, now it's a Hangout thread with the SwoLy stamp of approval.
You mean that's suicide...? Like... humans plucking out their eyebrows? I don't get it--I don't, uh... LOL wut?
I think humans would need to be able to prove that animals rationalize their thoughts and feelings the same as we do. I don't think there is a way to do that. That said, most of us have probably had a dog that stopped eating or moving around when they've gotten sick. Does that qualify as suicide? I've also heard speculation that when a whale beaches itself, it's done so on purpose. Again, no way to know for sure.
halfling131-Yeah I know the lemming myth is false but when the subject comes up lemmings are always the go to animal. Vanilla Rice- It's evident that animals near death know they are going to die but I don't think it's suicidal.
Animals killing themselves in captivity makes sense, because the only way an animal would seemingly want to off itself is if it has nothing to fear (starvation, predators) so it can concentrate on its own misery. And the more evolved its brain is, the more it can rationalize killing itself, too.
So the animal decides, in its conscience, to end its life? It isn't some kind of uncontrollable natural instinct or inherent reaction brought about by its circumstances? I can see that. I just can't imagine a dog trying to drown itself for example. Is it just not intelligent enough?
I think people discredit animals of not being intelligent enough, but there examples of some animals having complex thoughts such as jealousy, compassion, and even to a certain degree problem solving. www.usatoday.com/news/science/2004-12-10-monkey-tools_x.htm Now the depth of some of these thoughts are shallow but remarkable nonetheless. I'm not really sure where humans split off with emotions from other animals or do they at all? Maybe just the complexity of the emotions differ as species intelligence becomes more intricate. Could you not put humans in both categories as having no natural predator and being able to concentrate on it's misery, and being capable of rationalizing killing itself.
Ok, but... WHICH PROBLEM do they solve when they "commit suicide", if in case this is what they're doing? I think... none?
I suppose so. No one has quantified how much self awareness/intelligence it requires to realize that death is a better alternative to endless suffering/misery.
If the human or animal is in pain whether that be physical or (possibly) psychological the problem would be solved by no longer existing. It's cool that you don't understand the psychology behind suicide. It probably means you have had a great life but there are circumstances in life that are far worse than death.
Are those animals who are "smart" or that "commit suicide" ever in these "circumstances in life that are far worse than death"?
I'm not sure. I never got a chance to ask them. I'm not even sure animals commit suicide but I'm certain people do and I could see why animals would for some of the same reasons. Do you disagree that there are circumstances worse than death?
No. I do not disagree. To you it might be worse, but to me it might not be. We might have a different opinion on what is "worse than death." I just want you to point out in which circumstances these animals would be involved, is all. Do you have any for those animals?
