3 ms·
I don't quite agree. In fact I'd argue what would be good policy for more people would be more of a scientific, skeptical, realistic mindset and definitely not
by stinos 3y ago
I don't quite agree. In fact I'd argue what would be good policy for more people would be more of a scientific, skeptical, realistic mindset and definitely not less.
And the argument that goes like 'a scientist cannot use emotions (or whatever) because it cannot be scientifically explained' makes no sense. Could be that one key part you're missing is: when a scientist cannot easily prove something that doesn't make it non-existing nor unusable, but a scientist doesn't have to turn to belief for that: a scientist can simply admit to not knowing and not caring how something works yet use it, likewise scientists are allowed to make assumptions. It's just that they'll always realize it's an assumption.
I'm for instance very well aware that my pets seem to love me and I know that me providing them food plays a big role in that and that it's likely (likeley, because assuming certain animals have no emotions would be equally wrong plus by now proven false already IIRC) very different kind of love than the one between humans. I fail to see how that is in any way not appropriate though. Despite realizing that the enjoyment of interaction between me and my pets is based on certain hormones being released in my body when I'm around them, my pets give me great joy, I do a lot for them, and I'm grieving for days if not weeks if one of them passes away.
- mcpackieh 3y agoWhat applies to dogs also applies to other humans. Do you go around 'not knowing' whether other people might be p-zombies, or do you normally operate under the assumption that other people have subjective qualia comparable to your own? Probably the latter. Little leaps of faith like these are necessary to avoid the tarpit of solipsism. And as for your dog, wondering if your dog really loves you or if he's just a piece of meat mimicking the appearance of love to get food is not a recipe for a healthy relationship with your dog. Avoiding the anthropomorphism of animals is important when you're actively researching animals. But otherwise, leave that attitude in the lab.
- stinos 3y agodo you normally operate under the assumption that other people have subjective qualia comparable to your own? Probably the latter. Not sure why you bring that up, because that is not really an assumption, it's almost the definition of a species. And otherwise: yes. But again: realizing that it would be an assumption is healthy, imo. But otherwise, leave that attitude in the lab. Sorry, but hard no. It's not even an attitude, it's realism. Can you please try to understand that it's perfectly possible to realize what anthropomorphism is at all times, yet at the same time take great care of pets and have a typical pet-human relationship?