[devmor]

Animals don’t have language the same way we do, but many of them do have some kind of semi-structured communication. Cats for example, when domesticated, develop an entirely parallel method of communication specifically to interact with humans - one that is neotenous in genesis, but nonetheless absent from their feral counterparts.

[brookst]

While true, the connection between communication and consciousness is thin. Plenty of plants communicate with each other, but it’s seen as signaling rather than consciousness.

I believe that conscious is a gradient not a binary, and I believe that cats have some level of consciousness, but I’m not sure communication is the thing to hang that on.

[devmor]

I think comparing vocalized, intentional communication with chemical signaling is reductive and does not support your point at all.

Humans also emit pheromones, this is not the same as, or related in any way to language.

[famouswaffles]

>Plenty of plants communicate with each other, but it’s seen as signaling rather than consciousness.

Seems like a people problem to me. Who's to say plants aren't conscious?