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0 pointsdelecti1y ago0 comments

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.

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panarky1y ago

Could you prove that another person is conscious? Could you prove that you are conscious?

delectiOP1y ago

I 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.

epgui1y ago

Before 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.

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panarky1y ago

Could you prove that another person is conscious? Could you prove that you are conscious?

delectiOP1y ago

epgui1y ago

Before 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.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse