Do animals have imagination?

As a new member I am unable to post a link.

Google "dolphin bubble rings" and look at one of the videos.

Is this possible without imagination?

As a new member I am unable to post a link.

Google "dolphin bubble rings" and look at one of the videos.

Is this possible without imagination?

I watched it but I still don't see any dolphins creating art or performing actions that have no purpose.

Can animals create things in their mind that they have never encountered?

Humans cannot do this either.

Can animals create things in their mind that they have never encountered?

Humans cannot do this either.

It is not quite that simple. The uniquely sophisticated human imagination can certainly generate images, constructions,acoustic sequences and concepts that it has not previously encountered. Paintings by Salvador Dali, the Eiffel tower, the works of Shakespeare, the music of Mozart, the Unicorn, the notion of a multiverse are some examples.

On the other hand we can quite safely say that the elements of all these have been encountered before, either directly or as a result of transmission by language. Our particular imaginations have developed the ability to blend, morph and reconfigure these elements in many ways. That is our special quality. The imaginations of other animals, even such as cats, dogs, chimps and birds come nowhere near to this. They have their own special capabilities which have evolved to match their particular ecological niche. The dog, and the salmon have incredible olfactory selectivity and sensitivity respectively. The octopus needs its big brain to be able to perform the extraordinary task of matching its skin colors and textures to the terrain. But when it comes to sheer imaginatory power, no creature comes within a bull's roar of the human.

On the other hand we can quite safely say that the elements of all these have been encountered before

This is key.

We have to observe life for that imagination to work.

As a new member I am unable to post a link.

Google "dolphin bubble rings" and look at one of the videos.

Is this possible without imagination?

I watched it but I still don't see any dolphins creating art or performing actions that have no purpose.

Hi DP,

I don't think I accept your implied suggestion that imagination must only relate to actions that have no purpose. I or a dolphin could for example imagine a new solution to a practical problem.

Also, the dolphins' bubble-forming activity does seem to me to relate very closely indeed to what we call "art".

So I would like you to say more about why you think this is not imagination.