Cassie's demise has left an emptiness in our house. It has left me pondering why we experience grief. As an emotion it seems to have no biological value at all unlike every other emotion, all of which seem to map on to some sort of survival activity. I do not share the view that animals are mindless automatons, I think their minds are just not quite like ours, but I suspect we are the only animals to experience grief (perhaps elephants?) and so maybe it is the price we pay for our ability to articulate that we are alive. If so it feels like a bad deal.
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Do animals experience grief? I've pondered on this whilst pottering around the garden and my thoughts have gone along the following lines. I'd reframe the question to "are animals aware of loss?" and expand this to "are animals aware that someone/something familiar is no longer around?". To the latter question I'd answer "yes". My own observations tell me that this is true and, as with humans, time seems to be the healer.
I am sure that animals do notice something/someone has disappeared. There has also been a definite change in behaviour amongst the rest of the pack; they are not sure who is the dominant dog now. My puzzle is why we experience grief (as an emotion) at all if you accept the cognitive 'plan for action' theory of other emotions. The unromantic question I am asking myself is what is the biological value of grief?
I have found this interesting article. The encyclopaedia sounds a bit morbid but the article on grief is very good
http://www.deathreference.com/Gi-Ho/Grief-and-Mourning-in-Cross-Cultural-Perspective.html
An interesting article. Societal and cultural practices surrounding the topic are fascinating. But, as you say, do not address the central point of the biological value of grief. I can't see any evolutionary advantage to any organism being rendered inactive due to grief.
I have found another interesting reference by googling sociobiology and grief in this book The nature of grief: the evolution and psychology of reactions to loss By John Archer. The conclusion to the book is fascinating.It seems (surprise surprise) that I am not the first to be puzzled by the evolutionary status of grief. The paradox is that maybe it exists to promote attachment.
Let's just hope they don't suffer to the depths we do...
PS--article on my ipad for later referral!
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