Synopsis

In 1848, Charles Darwin embarked on an exploration of the animal mind's enigmas. Building upon Darwin's compelling theory of evolution through natural selection, Lewis Henry Morgan uncovered evidence suggesting cognitive processes in beavers. George Romanes conducted experiments with fish, cats, and dogs, while Douglas Spalding studied newborn chicks, all reporting indications of mental activity. Simultaneously, Jacques Loeb sought to demonstrate the inherent "mindlessness" of animals.