In conventional philosophy, humans are found to be superior to other animals because of their ability to know what ‘the self’ is and their cognitive abilities to be rational, autonomous, and self-conscious. This is why only humans are offered the specific rights and moral statuses that are not offered to animals. A recent discovery about the octopus, however, may change the very fabric of our philosophically derived superiority.
Studies suggest that the remarkable ability of an octopus to solve intricate problems using tools and hence learn and exhibit complex behaviors such as escaping and playing with objects indicates that they may have a heightened sense of self. These behaviors are not simply reflexive or instinctual but rather seem to be the result of conscious decision-making.
The nervous system of the octopus—vastly different from that of humans and other animals that are typically associated with consciousness—is what leaves scientists amazed.
Octopuses have a distributed nervous system, meaning that their neurons are spread throughout their body rather than being centralized in the brain like humans or other animals. This decentralized nervous system allows octopuses to control their eight arms independently, which is why severed arms can still exhibit complex behaviors.
Given these differences, it is possible that the consciousness of octopuses may be very different from what we are familiar with in humans and other animals, particularly because their tentacles serve as autonomous mini-brains as well.
Additionally, in a rather unique connective network, each tentacle of the octopus connects to a tentacle two tentacles away, giving it exceptional coordination and a remarkable connective pattern.
The answer to why this happens is not yet definitive but may simply be arithmetic: to connect the tentacles farthest away and reduce the response and action time. This unique connective network allows the octopus to efficiently coordinate its movements and respond quickly to its environment. It is believed that this arrangement helps the octopus capture prey, escape predators, and navigate complex underwater habitats.
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