Anthropomorphism in Interspecies Communication
- Sarah Fontaine
- Jan 2
- 5 min read
Anthropomorphism is considered to be the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to other-than-human beings. But what experiences belong only to human animals? Are humans the only animals that have emotion? And in Interspecies Communication, how do we differentiate between our own projections and what another being is actually experiencing?
Do animals have emotions?
Yes, animals have emotions. How could we deny that a dog is happy when she is playing catch or getting her belly rubbed? Or upset to be left at home alone? How about an older cat who is resentful and lashes out at the new kitten in the house? While this is obvious for many, others consider talking to pets, or believing that animals have feelings such as love, irritation, or sadness to be ‘out of touch with reality’.
Anthropomorphism as Taboo
The roots of this attitude likely stem from the short-sighted human tendency to put ourselves above all other species, assuming we are the most advanced, the most complex, and most intelligent, and all around superior.
The demonization of nature-based spirituality and our innate connection with the living Earth, and the insistence that we must become ‘civilized’ and separated from Nature through colonization — these wounds from our past are still present, and weep into the collective subconscious. Even if we reject those beliefs, the insidious effects can cause us to doubt or even fear our own connection, love, and ability to communicate with the wild world.
Anthropomorphism is deemed unscientific, and I agree. It is difficult to prove the reality of emotions and subjective experiences, especially if the subject has a world view that we don’t have context for. While science is working on new ways to decode animal communication with AI, we have the rich opportunity to explore our connection with animals through our own direct experience.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to experience another’s feelings, to tune into their perspective and begin to understand their mind. We all have the capacity for empathy, yet many have become desensitized to this natural way of perceiving.
When our empathy is turned on, it is hard to deny that animals communicate and have depth of emotion, intelligence, and reason. There is no need for scientific proof when we experience the magic of connection and understanding as an embodied knowing.
True Anthropomorphism
Human and other-than-human animals do share many of the same emotions and traits, therefore attributing joy, grief, or good intention to an animal is not necessarily anthropomorphism. True anthropomorphism is the projection of the psychological and emotional complexity of humans onto other beings.
Letting Go of Projection
Humans have a habit of projecting our personal experience onto others, human or animal. We often assume others respond to an event the same way that we would. Upon seeing a person in a wheelchair, one might pity them, moving from an assumption that they must be miserable. The reality may very well be that they are perfectly content and extremely capable. The thought that they are miserable is a projection without any foot in reality.
If we see an animal in pain, we might assume that they are terrified and emotionally distraught, because that would be our own response to pain. Or, if our cat is peeing on the floor rather than the litter box, we might project that they are being uncooperative or spiteful.
When we empathize with another, we are feeling into their experience. Of course, we also have our own feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. Self awareness helps us clarify what is coming from our own mind and body, and what is coming from the other.
For example, if our cat is peeing on the floor, by practicing self awareness we can recognize our initial reaction (bad kitty!), and let it go. We can then tune into the cat's experience, sensing, feeling, and asking questions. It might come to us that she is peeing on the floor because the litter box has not been cleaned, so we clean it, and see if the behavior shifts.
An Animal’s Mind
Non-human animals have less cognitive development than human animals — this doesn’t mean they are less intelligent! In many ways animals are more intelligent than humans. Animal intelligence is embodied, instinctual, and strategized for survival. Survival needs include communication with the world around them, and conservation of energy.
In my experience, animals are more objective, and don't entertain unnecessary thought processes. They don’t seem to waste time on judgement, opinion, or beliefs. I don’t feel them ruminating on what happened in the past or worrying excessively about what might be in the future. In contrast, I find animals most often to be present in the moment with simply what is.
These aspects of the complex human psychological and emotional experience — rumination, judgement, etc. — are not apparently present in the other-than-human animal's mind.
It is true that domestic animals can develop more complex mental or emotional patterns than what is typical of their wild counterparts. This is to be expected being that their survival strategy is drastically different, they are immersed in human culture, and many have limited access to a natural lifestyle. That being said, we still need to be cautious, perhaps even more cautious with domestics, of overlaying our complexities, personal experience or cultural expectations onto an animal’s behavior.
Clarity in Interspecies Communication
To have clarity in interspecies communication, we need to consider the nuances of anthropomorphism. First, we need to acknowledge the true emotional and intellectual capacity of the other, without dubbing things like emotion or altruistic intention as exclusively human traits. Second, as we extend our empathy to another, we need to set aside our own reactions, preconceived notions, beliefs and judgements, in order to clearly perceive the other’s experience.
In practice, to diminish true anthropomorphism and develop clarity, we need to:
Silence our own patterns, move into neutrality, and turn on our empathy for the other.
When we believe we feel the other’s experience, we ask questions rather than assume we are accurate: What is mine here? What am I feeling from them?
We can then create a hypothesis, using our best discernment, of what we believe is going on, and test that hypothesis in a gentle and caring way.
Interspecies Communication is a journey of relationships and learning. With time and dedicated practice, we become more and more clear. Intricacies of personality unfold, and we discover our own truths about what is possible within the mind of an animal.
Learn embodied practices for clear, connective Interspecies Communication →
Primal Communication — Interspecies and beyond, learn the science and nuance of subtle communication
Free Introduction — Principles of Interspecies Communication — Empower communication that supports connection and honors relationships.