Self-awareness not unique to mankind

Anybody who has spent a lot of time with animals already know this.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-06/uow-snu061515.php

Public Release: 15-Jun-2015
Self-awareness not unique to mankind

University of Warwick

Humans are unlikely to be the only animal capable of self-awareness, a new study has shown.

Conducted by University of Warwick researchers, the study found that humans and other animals capable of mentally simulating environments require at least a primitive sense of self. The finding suggests that any animal that can simulate environments must have a form of self-awareness.

Often viewed as one of man's defining characteristics, the study strongly suggests that self-awareness is not unique to mankind and is instead likely to be common among animals.

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