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"Human beings have a strong, strong, strong tendency that if we see an animal do something that's analogous to what we do, like use a tool or answer an arithmet
by jaekwon 15y ago
"Human beings have a strong, strong, strong tendency that if we see an animal do something that's analogous to what we do, like use a tool or answer an arithmetic question, we assume that the animal is doing it and understands the situation in the same way we do," he said. "And sometimes that's true but more often it's false."
Those words do nothing but justify one's "animals are non-sentient" hat. I can say the same towards the actions of other individuals. "I have a strong tendency that if I see another human sledding, I assume that the human understands the situation in the same why I do." Why should I assume that another person understands a situation in the same way that I do, whereas a crow cannot? Because the person is of the same species as me? "Species" is just an artificial term that describes the ability to interbreed.
- VMG 15y ago> Beause the person is of the same species as me? That's just an artificial term that describes the ability to interbreed. The term also describes the biological similarity between the organisms, in this case, similar neural cortices that are vastly different from other animals. A crow might be sentient, but you will never find it commenting on hacker news.
- jaekwon 15y agoBiological similarity does not imply similarity of understanding. My understanding is also shaped by environment and knowledge as much as my genes. You and I are similar genetically, but I cannot make any statement about your understanding of any activity (like sledding) as compared to mine, because we (or at least I) do not know how to compare "understanding" between two beings. The crow's neural circuitry is different from yours or mine, but the "same" software can run in many different architectures. Never say never :)
- VMG 15y agoNeurological similarity is necessary for any kind of meaningful understanding, but it isn't sufficient, so I basically agree.