Very interesting topic and some very interesting points. Something I will add. Ever teach a dog a trick or to obey certain commands? I think certain animals can "think" on a basic level, but nowhere near to the complexity of human thought. Animals can take in information from an environment, process that information, come to a basic conclusion of some sort, and react, but I don't believe that any of it is done with full awareness or comprehension. But who can say for certain? We can only speculate.