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I can't help but believe that people who think animals aren't conscious are starting from that assumption. If you start from the belief that there's some inhere
by delecti 2y ago
I can't help but believe that people who think animals aren't conscious are starting from that assumption. If you start from the belief that there's some inherent "human-ness" (soul, etc), then nothing you see will convince you that animals have it too.
- panarky 2y agoCould you prove that another person is conscious? Could you prove that you are conscious?
- delecti 2y agoI can prove that I am conscious, at least to my satisfaction, because I can think the thought "I am conscious". Outward behavior of other humans also proves to my satisfaction that they're conscious. And when interacting with animals, I see many of the same qualities that lead me to believe other people are conscious, with the difference largely being a matter of degree.
- epgui 2y agoBefore you can prove anything about consciousness, even "to your satisfaction" or in relation to yourself, you would need to propose a clear and unambiguous definition of it.