For centuries it was accepted that human beings were the planet’s only sentient creatures. But new research shows that the animal kingdom is full of surprising demonstrations of emotional intelligence, moral judgment, and mental perceptiveness. Jonathan Balcombe, animal behaviorist and author of the critically acclaimed Pleasurable Kingdom, draws here on the latest scientific evidence, observational studies, and personal anecdotes to reveal the full spectrum of animal experience. Where we once dismissed their reality as simplistic, Balcombe shows that animals engage in sophisticated social networking and display highly individualistic behavior—for example:

• many animals—especially dogs-- recognize unfairness and are able to empathize with other beings, even humans;

• birds are susceptible to mood swings such as depression and optimism

• the language of prairie dogs contains words for different types of humans—such as those carrying weapons or bearing food

• cats, mice, and cows show a deep level of consciousness and self-reflection

As our society becomes better informed about the degree to which animals enjoy and suffer the same feelings we do, we gain a new appreciation for creatures with whom we share the earth and must begin an informed debate about how we treat them. And this, Balcombe eloquently argues, will help us attain a better understanding of ourselves—in particular, what makes us human.