Be careful calling somebody a ‘rat bag’ or a ‘dirty rat’ as recent research shows that rats are not only kind and generous creatures, but they also have a sense of empathy often not shared by their human equivalents.  In experiments done on rats, scientists discover that these rodents would display signs of distress when they see their fellow rats trapped and would go to great lengths to try and free them.  Not only that, given the choice of gobbling a tasty chocolate treat over mounting a rescue, these much-maligned creatures ‘frequently chose to complete the rescue before tucking in and sharing their chocolate stash with their companion.’  How about that for courage, comradeship and selflessness?

As these behaviours are not taught, it can only mean that they are inherent and instinctive in these animals.  To quote the news article on the Daily Mail, ‘The research team said that acting out of empathy is clearly not unique to humans – and suggested we might be able to learn a thing or two from the humble rat.  Professor Mason said: 'When we act without empathy, we are acting against our biological inheritance.  'If humans would listen and act on their biological inheritance more often, we' d be better off.'

I find this interesting because empathising in a fellow creature that is in distress, actively going out of the way to relieve that distress and showing a willingness to share with others is not merely a simple display of empathy, of being able to put oneself in another’s shoes, but it is the very basis of collective ethical behaviour that until now we regard as unique to humans as moral and thinking creatures.

A lot of the time however, we don’t act in a kind, generous and selfless way.  If anything, it’s the opposite, we don’t empathise and we are not willing to share.  We act in a selfish, corrupt and insensitive manner.  And when we do this, we excuse ourselves by saying, ‘I’m only human.’