Quote:
Originally Posted by tirsales
Not true.
It is not. For examples (some) dolphins might learn to trigger impulses on computers by targeting them with their "echolocation rays". If they hit some lights change - its a game, nothing more. I dont have the source with me (read it in a (printed) paper belonging to my sister..), but it actually hasnt been some kind of experiment or training. IIRC the "device" had a completely different intended usage and the "color change" was part of a testing setup (or something similar) that the scientists simply forgot to remove. The scientists observed this behaviour in several dolphins by accident - dolphins playing games with some random pieces of technology, without getting any reward (apart from the pleasure of seeing those lights change) or training.
I did not say that "normal animals" and humans have the same cognitive features (though it is hard to say where exactly the cognitive features of animals end - they are far more intelligent then most people think). I simply stated that learning or social behaviour is not something "human only" - no, not even "unneeded learning".
Um....okay, great points there, and I agree. But.......does that put them on the same plane as us?
Try playing with some animals. I"m not a big animal person........except for cats. I think they rule. They are smart enough to get people to take care of them while doing nothing they're told.
I did not want to imply that he was.
There are worse people then Dr. Mengele & Co. Agreed and agreed.
I apologize for my misunderstanding. none necessary.
Then we are - at least partially - on an agreement here 
Hmm, seems like the German version is a different one (still annoying).
Never said I would want my daughter (lets pick niece, I have one) to grow up like this - all I wanted to say (and you already explained above) is that "censorship w/o reasoning is a bad thing" - because its not about "censoring BurgerKing" but about "teaching what's right" 
But I think we are on an agreement here - if not in the means, then in the goal.
I still would say thats what's means being a "good human" (however you would state this) not necessarily a "human". I do not like definitions of "human" based on behaviour - it is much to easy to misuse those..
Never would |
Okay, lets take "behavior" out of the equation.
What does make us human?
I say its the spirit and ability to create music and art, and pyramids and the numerous awe inspiring architecture we see still today.
Its a willingness to sacrifice oneself for a complete stranger, the unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and then the need to act on that knowledge.
Its not a tangible thing. Its our souls, if you will.
What say you?