in an ultimate happiness in the end, just like humans believe in a happy ending through religion? Maybe not believe, but somehow know about or can conceive of. im not talking in terms of animals being spiritual, but somehow, in ways we dont understand. if so, what gives any being the right to take the life of another being, or control them in any way?
What you speak of is a result of self awareness. To be aware of one's condition. Indeed, the human condition is just as well the animal condition, or more precisely the self aware, conscious, being's condition. Science would point out that there are certain parts of the brain integral to self awareness. Aside from a few other species of animals, humans seem to be the only species capable of self awareness. But, perhaps, although self awareness is necessary, it may not be the most important quality which allows a being to philosophize. I would assert that language centers in the brain, abstract and spacial reasoning would precede primal self awareness in the evolutionary hierarchy leading to the intrinsic ability of a being [such as humans] to desire an afterlife or an inherent meaning to life. I am sure that you can find somewhere on the intarweb studies on the level of consciousness that other animals possess. But I doubt that without accompanying evolutionary advances in the brain and the sort, that lower level animals are able to think past their next meal, let alone their next life.... Consider whether you would be thinking about such things if you had to hunt your own food and defend your life every day, as other animals do.
