Questions About The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

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Answered Questions (6)

Why are humans so pretentious to assume that other animals don't think, don't feel, don't have consciousness, don't evolve, don't value life as we do?

Elizabeth Stolar I think the answer is very simple: If other beings can't think or feel, that makes it easy and ok to do whatever you want to them -- kill them, destro…moreI think the answer is very simple: If other beings can't think or feel, that makes it easy and ok to do whatever you want to them -- kill them, destroy their homes/habitats, eat them, experiment on them, torture them, enslave them, etc. (less)

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why the name octupus given to the book?

Linda Grant The book is primarily about the connections that the author, a naturalist working with the Boston Aquarium, made with several octopuses living there. …moreThe book is primarily about the connections that the author, a naturalist working with the Boston Aquarium, made with several octopuses living there. The author learned that these animals can think, solve problems, and have an emotional life as well.(less)

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The unusual title made me look up this book. I almost 'envie' the author for it. Doesn't a title attract a reader?

Teju It does. But the attraction needs to be held. Otherwise, the book is neither read nor recommended. C`est la vie!

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does anyone know how i could download this online?

Amy You can probably borrow an e-book or e-audiobook version of the book from your library; check out that option

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Does this book get less sappy? I've enjoyed quite a few books like this one, BUT, this one is just so saccharine in the first couple chapters. If it gets better, I'll stick with it.

Amy I didn't think it was sentimental in that sense, but it is a very personal story, and she has clearly fallen in love with the Octopuses she interacts …moreI didn't think it was sentimental in that sense, but it is a very personal story, and she has clearly fallen in love with the Octopuses she interacts with. There's a lot of science, and realistically bad things also happen, but the style remains the same(less)

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