Response to Nick

Nick: Is it likely that ‘lions’ the physical referent and signified ‘concept of: lion’ in the minds of the zebras is what “come to mind” at the use and perception of the word “god”? [especially of this context in relation to pain and suffering, a part of such words or phrases which can be considered ‘taboo speech’]

I must preempt here by saying that you have some of the most interesting posts and questions I have ever seen.

I would tentatively suggest that no, lions, or the concept thereof would not be the object of thought when the zebra invokes the word 'god'. So the situation would be. A lion is eating a zebra and the zebra distressingly thinks the phrase "oh my god." Since this is already anthropomorphizing to a dangerous degree, I will continue to do so. When a misfortune befalls a human who uses this phrase it is not the object of the misfortune that 'comes to mind' but a higher being who could possible be held accountable for said misfortune. Now you could argue that the lion fits that description, a higher being that is accountable for the misfortune (being eaten).

The end answer here would be, I suppose, the characteristics of, if it exists, a zebra belief system. Perhaps, like the Greeks of old, the Zebras believed in a pantheon that interacted with the people, so it is possible that a lion would be that 'god.' On the other hand, if the beliefs were more christian, than god would not summon a mental image of any worldly misfortune like a lion, but a more abstract higher entity that serves as a convenient scapegoat for life's calamities.

Now, reading this over again, it is probable that I have missed some critically relevant point you made and have thus misunderstood it entirely. Here it is regardless.

Question: Concerning especially the social creatures, is a belief system likely to be present?