The dictionary calls 'sapient' as being 'wise and discerning'...
'Sentient' is defined as 'having perception'.
I use the word 'sentient' as being synonymous with 'self awareness', and the power to transcend naturally select determined instincts...
Before we proceed, will you tell me what the word 'sapient' means to you?
As you can see, the two words are similar in meaning and connotation, is why I ask for you to explicate your meaning of the word 'sapient', as you apparently discern its difference from the word sentient...
Kewel Kukumbers,
- RP (I still think we may be a coupla incipiently incurable savages... )
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
The dictionary calls 'sapient' as being 'wise and discerning'... 'Sentient' is defined as 'having perception'.
I accept that Sapience has a biological explanation. Many Species have Sapience. Scientifically proven.
Sentinence has not been found in any other species. Ergo: Its a human construct and therefore can only be explained by Philosophy or Metaphysics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RascalPuff
Before we proceed, will you tell me what the word 'sapient' means to you?
The two words while implying the same thing, are not to be confused. As accepting Sentinence will, in my opinion, eventually lead you back to some form of intelligent design. This would be accepting the 'Conditioned' choice exclusively.
Sapience will lead back to Natural Selection, Awareness is on a similar footing, many species are aware. This would be accepting the 'Inherant' choice exclusively.
cool bananas ... Greg ....
'Blondie says I must hate all Brunettes. I'll try, but if I can't ... I'll love them both' ... graffiti on Tavern wall, Pompeii, circa AD 70.
I accept that Sapience has a biological explanation. Many Species have Sapience. Scientifically proven.
Sentinence has not been found in any other species. Ergo: Its a human construct and therefore can only be explained by Philosophy or Metaphysics.
The two words while implying the same thing, are not to be confused. As accepting Sentinence will, in my opinion, eventually lead you back to some form of intelligent design. This would be accepting the 'Conditioned' choice exclusively.
Sapience will lead back to Natural Selection, Awareness is on a similar footing, many species are aware. This would be accepting the 'Inherant' choice exclusively.
cool bananas ... Greg ....
Hey Greg:
Lemme think about this for a while, okay?
For the time being it's looking like we're more parallel on these complex issues than not.
Kewel Kukumbers,
- RP (P.S. Have you read Darwin's Origin of the Species, and/or Voyage of the Beagle?)
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
humans have been fighting humans for one reason or another, since there where humans. it is a huge part of history. i understand this to be because humans have the ability to combine extremes in creating destruction. with this distinct ability it is then natural for humans to war with themselves and others, resulting in oganization, for the puposes of efficiency, and dominance.
We were called Homo Sapiens because it was thought that we had a unique place in all of this. We were the only Sapient life form known. This has since proved incorrect.
Sapience can best be described as the ability to recognise prey. The ability to recognise something beneficial to self. This may be a wildebeest, a lucrative real estate deal, an invasion of a smaller weaker nation, preventing global warming, even charity can bring self-serving rewards. This does not mean its all greed, just the ability to recognise profit from any situation. In this sense sapience has an evolutionary link back to slime who had the ability to recognise light (prey) from dark in order to regulate photosynthesis.
Sentinence has no unbroken chain back to prehistory. The problem is no one really knows where it enters the system. Many Gods are considered sentinent by their followers. If an animal feels pain we attribute sentinence to that animal .. we humanise some of its attributes .. we feel for it. Sentinence is a placing of emotions, a reasoning of a situation from a single perspective. Our own.
Yes ... I believe that evolution is a cosmic order, not just an origin of species. The distinction between organic and inorganic is becoming less clear. Recently some inorganic substances have been placed in 'evacuated' cell membranes and lived for a time. SOme are saying a few months to ten years and we will have a synthetic life form.
I don't know about any of this except to understand that the difference between organic and inorganic my be another sentinent delineation ... LOL
cool bananas ...
'Blondie says I must hate all Brunettes. I'll try, but if I can't ... I'll love them both' ... graffiti on Tavern wall, Pompeii, circa AD 70.
humans have been fighting humans for one reason or another, since there where humans. it is a huge part of history. i understand this to be because humans have the ability to combine extremes in creating destruction. with this distinct ability it is then natural for humans to war with themselves and others, resulting in oganization, for the puposes of efficiency, and dominance.
Fair enough gunnar .... but your just restating the purpose of the thread. Your not giving us any explanation for it.
Which of the 3 choices in the first post do you select and why ??
cool bananas ... greg
'Blondie says I must hate all Brunettes. I'll try, but if I can't ... I'll love them both' ... graffiti on Tavern wall, Pompeii, circa AD 70.
that maybe true to an extent, i was trying to relay the fact that animals prey to eat, and when full almost always dont go hunting again. while humans create neuclear power, which has a creative benifit that is not in balance with its destructive nature. so animals are in balance with creating desruction, and humans are not. this is the distinct difference in ability. everything is a part of life. humans are a part of life that is unique in its ability that does distinguish us from what was before we existed. as everything before us has similarities to human behavior, none take it to the extent that we do.
that maybe true to an extent, i was trying to relay the fact that animals prey to eat, and when full almost always dont go hunting again. while humans create neuclear power, which has a creative benifit that is not in balance with its destructive nature.
What you are saying here is that animals prey till their foreseeable needs are met and then take a rest. Humans, who can forecast further, build Nuclear Powerstations till their needs are met for their forseeable future.
There is no difference in principle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gunnar
humans are a part of life that is unique in its ability that does distinguish us from what was before we existed. as everything before us has similarities to human behavior, none take it to the extent that we do.
What proof do you offer that we are unique ? The ability to go to further extents, in some directions, is not a difference ... just a better ability. It does not separate us.
You will still need to make a decision on the first post.
Inherited, Conditioned or both.
cool bananas ... greg
'Blondie says I must hate all Brunettes. I'll try, but if I can't ... I'll love them both' ... graffiti on Tavern wall, Pompeii, circa AD 70.
Gunnar ... I don't believe you have read the posts in this thread, do so, or at least read the one in the quote. Why should we go over the whole ground of the debate again, when you can easily read it for yourself !!
cool bananas ... greg
'Blondie says I must hate all Brunettes. I'll try, but if I can't ... I'll love them both' ... graffiti on Tavern wall, Pompeii, circa AD 70.
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