National Aquarium: Are Animals Altruistic?
Across the animal kingdom, creatures of all kinds have been known to lend a hand—pincer, paw or fin—to those in need.
Because most animals experience a different level of cognition than humans, we have to consider their helping behaviors within a unique scientific framework. What drives humans to act altruistically may be vastly different than what drives animals to act altruistically.
That doesn’t mean animals are incapable of being altruistic, though.
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Across the animal kingdom, creatures of all kinds have been known to lend a hand—pincer, paw or fin—to those in need.
Because most animals experience a different level of cognition than humans, we have to consider their helping behaviors within a unique scientific framework. What drives humans to act altruistically may be vastly different than what drives animals to act altruistically.
That doesn’t mean animals are incapable of being altruistic, though.