Tasty Bacon or Fellow Being? The Paradox of How We Relate to the Intelligence and Emotions of Pigs

Pigs are remarkable animals with intelligence and emotions similar to humans. They can solve problems, show a wide range of feelings, and have unique personalities. Studies, like the one by Lori Marino and Christina M. Colvin, highlight pigs’ cognitive and emotional capabilities, showing that they deserve respect and better treatment.

Research has shown that pigs can use tools, recognize themselves in mirrors, and even mediate social disputes, similar to how humans and some other animals do. For example, pigs can learn from observing others, like when naive pigs adopt the behaviors of trained pigs anticipating a reward or punishment.

The discussion around pigs’ intelligence raises ethical questions about how we treat them, especially since pigs are often compared to dogs in terms of intelligence. However, comparing intelligence across species is not always helpful, and it can be dangerous to assume less intelligent animals feel less pain. All mammals, including pigs, are sentient and capable of suffering.

The way we think about animals, including pigs, influences our actions. Some people try to deny the intelligence and emotions of the animals they eat to avoid feeling guilty. However, recognizing pigs as sentient beings should encourage us to rethink how we interact with them.

Efforts like The Someone Project aim to educate people about the complex lives of farm animals like pigs, arguing that it’s not about making them human but about recognizing their natural abilities and emotions. Ultimately, treating pigs and other animals with more compassion may lead to a shift away from factory farming and towards more ethical food choices.

Read the full article “Tasty Bacon or Fellow Being? The Paradox of How We Relate to the Intelligence and Emotions of Pigs” by Marc Bekoff

🔭   This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.