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I dont think the animal itself is providing anything of value, emotionally. The person has learned to derive value from the animal, and Im hypothesising the person could also learn to derive a similar level of support from an inanimate object.
Similar to (or maybe exactly like?) a young child who feels more safe while sleeping with a blankey, or is more confident at that doctor appointment while cuddling Mr Squiggly Bear.
Have you ever met a pet irl? Unlike inanimate objects, they actually respond to people. At least push for some sort of AI stuffed animal that responds similarly to a pet. And then train people to derive a similar level of support from your AI real doll as they do from their partner, since the partner itself isn't providing anything of value, emotionally; we've just learned to derive value from our partners.
I've never had a pet or been emotionally attached to an animal, but it seems like everyone here with a pet is choosing to save the life of their pet over that of a random human, so it sure seems like people get attached to their animals more strongly than they would an inanimate object (though I could see how this could work if you have the emotional life of a 4-year-old).
Last edited by gregorio; 07-11-2016 at 02:15 PM.