Subscribe now

Letter: Sense of self in science, Shakespeare and trout (3)

Published 3 October 2018

From Daniel Hackett, London, UK

Deleniv suggests self-awareness is an extension of the challenge of dealing with the minds of others: prey, competitors or members of your social group. Territoriality should not be underestimated as an example of such a challenge.

If you put two trout in a small tank, they will skirmish. The loser will change to a dark colour and sulk at the bottom. It “knows” it has been beaten and not to “try it on” until the top trout goes away. It may not have a demonstrable “this is me” mode, but surely this is where individualisation starts – with a kind of awareness of one's own situation.

Issue no. 3198 published 6 October 2018

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop