SM 302
Cat Play
1 Feb 07.
What is a cat doing when it plays?
Is it imagining? Is it representing the idea of a mouse in the cork with a piece of string tied to it? Can we imagine the cat imagining, or are we constrained by scientific discourse?
The cat (like others of our representations) has evolved with humans over perhaps 5000 years. Cats seem to have discovered a niche, symbiotically living with human beings, evolving to fit in with our habits and preferences and selectively becoming more cute. They seem to have developed the potential to be enculturated through human contact, becoming trained to suit our needs by growing up in human families. Perhaps they have also evolved to engage in cross-species play.
14 March 07
Since writing the above I have thought more about it, and now have a broader answer. Cats, like humans, other primates and certain other mammals, have a ‘limbic system’. This is a conglomeration of mid-brain elements, which among other things enables affectionate responses and relationships - vital for social animals. Cats are similar to us in some physical hunting features, such as eyes to the front of the head for better judgement of distance (as opposed to the side of the head of herbivores for better all round view of predators) and canine teeth. Possibly a cat’s play instincts are similar to ours for the same hunting reasons – chasing moving balls for instance.
I don’t believe a cat does imagine anything when it plays with the cork and string. Rather, it is constitutionally unable to ignore the excitement of a certain type of movement. Preparing to throw the cork builds up the excitement and the cat is simply unable to resist. Probably most of the things it does are like this – uncontrollable urges, which must be instantly expressed. I have been scratched numerous times through not satisfying Catson’s play urges satisfactorily, and his frustrations get the better of him. Cats are quick learners, only needing to be smacked once to stop them peeing on the bed or getting caught on the kitchen counter - but otherwise lacking self control. Unlike humans, the cat does not ‘delay gratification’ in expectation of later rewards. They only adhere to behaviour patterns in the present for reasons of punishment, reward and habit.
We might share the cat’s urge to excitement at some basic level, getting caught up in the hunt, or the chase. But cats do not share our imaginary pleasures. Their play is not representational, but immediate and sensory.
Emotion and Rationality (Damasio)