[maria2]

Is that a form of sadism? Perhaps the sea lion is unable to conceive of the suffering of the fish. To the sea lion, the fish is merely an object. Playing with the fish is no different than playing with a rock to the sea lion.

[dinosaurdynasty]

Does that matter for the fish?

[vlunkr]

No, but that's not the question being discussed.

[layer8]

Sounds very similar to a psychopath incapable of empathy.

[fluoridation]

Lack of empathy is the norm in nature, not the exception. A species of predator that could empathize with its prey would starve to death.

[layer8]

Yeah, my point was that the GP probably wouldn't view a psychopath as innocent as a sea lion, hence there would seem to be a double standard.