A Philosopher's Year with Lab Mice: Challenging Assumptions About Animal Intelligence

A philosopher's account of living with 25 ex-laboratory mice challenges the simplistic view of mice as mere experimental subjects. Through detailed observation, the author reveals a complex social life, intricate communication, and profound acts of care among the mice. They build elaborate nests, groom each other, nurse the sick, and even collectively bury their dead. This intimate portrait highlights the social intelligence and capacity for compassion in these often-overlooked creatures, leading to a deeper reflection on life, death, and interspecies relationships.