Dogs' feelings are discussed in Darwin's "The Descent of Man."
"This shews that animals not only love, but have desire to be loved.
Animals manifestly feel emulation. They love approbation or praise;
and a dog carrying a basket for his master exhibits in a high degree
self-complacency or pride. There can, I think, be no doubt that a dog
feels shame, as distinct from fear, and something very like modesty
when begging too often for food. A great dog scorns the snarling of a
little dog, and this may be called magnanimity. Several observers have
stated that monkeys certainly dislike being laughed at; and they
sometimes invent imaginary offences. In the Zoological Gardens I saw a
baboon who always got into a furious rage when his keeper took out a
letter or book and read it aloud to him; and his rage was so violent
that, as I witnessed on one occasion, he bit his own leg till the
blood flowed. Dogs shew what may be fairly called a sense of humour,
as distinct from mere play; if a bit of stick or other such object be
thrown to one, he will often carry it away for a short distance; and
then squatting down with it on the ground close before him, will wait
until his master comes quite close to take it away. The dog will then
seize it and rush away in triumph, repeating the same manoeuvre, and
evidently enjoying the practical joke.
We will now turn to the more intellectual emotions and faculties,
which are very important, as forming the basis for the development of
the higher mental powers. Animals manifestly enjoy excitement, and
suffer from ennui, as may be seen with dogs, and, according to
Rengger, with monkeys. All animals feel WONDER, and many exhibit
CURIOSITY."
Charles Darwin: The Descent of Man, Page 49
http://charles-darwin.classic-literature.co.uk/the-descent-of-man/ebook-page-49.asp
If you need an offline citation, the quote appears on page 42 of this
edition of "The Descent of Man":
The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex:
(With a new introduction by J.T. Bonner and R.M. May)
by Charles Darwin...
Publisher: Princeton University Press (August 1, 1981)
ISBN: 0691023697
Amazon: The Descent of Man
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691023697
I located this quote by using Amazon's wonderful "Search Inside the
Book" feature. I thought that I remembered having seen something about
dogs' emotions in "The Descent of Man," and Amazon helped me to verify
my suspicions. I used the search terms "dog" and "shame."
I hope this is precisely what you're looking for. If it is not, or if
anything is unclear or incomplete, please request clarification; I'll
gladly offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
