Can you think?

 

Continuing our series of posts about knowledge. So far we have discussed Art (Rodin's The Kiss), then History (Henry VIII and the Tudors), and Nutrition. Today it is Philosophy.

Now I know that some of you do not like the TV and Film series Star Trek. But please bear with me. This has nothing to do with Star Trek per se.

I have just watched an old episode where a discussion takes place as to whether Data, (an Android robot), is a living creature or not.

By way of background; Data is a robot created by a human scientist. He looks perfectly like a human and acts as a human in the most part. He has super strength, is capable of faster reactions, reading speeds, calculations and problem solving as well as limitless memory functions. Basically, he is far better than any human and does not need sleep or feeding.

The question is: Is he a machine or a living being?

The debate develops that to be a living being you need to have intelligence. Data certainly has that and can deduce an outcome by analysing and considering various variables.

Another measure to have life is to be sentient. Data is that too. He has developed friendships and is able to learn, and he appreciates a joke.

Also, to have life you need to be self-aware. And yet again, Data is that.

Let's now move away from Star Trek. My thoughts turned to animals.

They are living beings. No one can dispute that. They live. They die. And they reproduce. The three measures of life.

But what distinguishes them from us?

Are they intelligent? Some animals are very intelligent. This has been proved to various degrees.

Are they sentient? Again, I would say yes. Some animals do develop friendships with humans and can communicate their feelings in different situations. 

Are they self-aware? I struggle with this. Does a dog know that he exists? Or does he just act on instinct? Does he reason that by behaving in a certain way he will be treated accordingly? Is he aware that he is getting old? Do the goldfish in my pond realise that it is me feeding them every day? Do the birds think the same at my bird table? Does the squirrel laugh at me when he steals the seeds from the bird table? Does the spider care how often I clean his web from high up in the ceiling? Do animals plot and plan like we do?

This is a two-way, or more-ways, conversation. What do you think?

 I need a beer.

 Now that's intelligent, sentient and self-aware. Unless I have too many beers!!!