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That was really more of an aside than anything. Joel Send a noteboard - 14/09/2009 09:18:46 AM
We can measure some of it, recreate it, but at the end of the day the very nature of observation is dependence what people have witnessed. We're not talking about a few anomalous incidents, however, but well known phenomena anyone who studies animal behavior rather than just anatomy can attest.

I wouldn't say they're NOTHING like ours, but perhaps we're getting into an area of semantics; it would be pointless to try and quantify the extent similarities are and aren't present, because emotion isn't something tangible and precisely measurable. My initial response was taking issue with the attitude I've observed in some biologists to reduce animals to nothing more than instinct and hormones while elevating the animal homo sapiens to some kind of qualitatively different status. In many respects I do see valid distinctions between us and other animals, but this isn't one of them, and I don't think any of them are anatomical or hereditary.


I assume you're talking about something spiritual (AKA, unknowable), so this is where I exit.

Maybe next time!

Spiritual/=unknowable, but it's not tangible so doesn't respond to clinical investigation, no. I only referenced it, however, to be clear I wasn't saying I think the other animals are just mentally challenged humans with tails; I see qualitative differences, but not in the realms addressed by physical and behavioral biology.

In other words, within the natural science realm of which biology speaks I largely disagree with claims of qualitative differences, but I didn't want that to be taken to mean I see humans and other animals as identical. It was a qualifier so I didn't say more than I meant, not a suggestion biologists should carry rosaries.

Now get on Skype so Divya and I can make fun of you.
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Horny Turtle Humping Shoe - 13/09/2009 02:02:51 AM 586 Views
Imagine reaching for your shoe... - 13/09/2009 02:16:58 AM 493 Views
I bet he didn't even call that shoe the next day. - 13/09/2009 04:11:45 AM 475 Views
coming from the species famous for "mating" with their hands - 13/09/2009 04:23:11 AM 449 Views
But supposedly humans are the only ones who do it for pleasure.... - 13/09/2009 04:30:10 AM 478 Views
okay that is so NONSENSE - 13/09/2009 04:52:49 AM 444 Views
Hey, I don't believe it either, just sniping at "animals aren't advanced enough to have feelings. " - 13/09/2009 05:24:35 AM 480 Views
Eh. - 13/09/2009 09:59:46 AM 422 Views
I'm not saying they're as developed as humans, but they aren't just machines either. - 13/09/2009 10:10:14 AM 518 Views
I so agree! - 13/09/2009 11:21:40 AM 465 Views
Thanks. - 14/09/2009 08:52:35 AM 564 Views
Re: I'm not saying they're as developed as humans, but they aren't just machines either. - 13/09/2009 06:55:50 PM 519 Views
All empirical evidence is ultimately anecdotal. - 14/09/2009 08:50:32 AM 551 Views
Well, didn't take you long to render your argument unfalsifiable. - 14/09/2009 09:08:50 AM 488 Views
That was really more of an aside than anything. - 14/09/2009 09:18:46 AM 443 Views
Re: Horny Turtle Humping Shoe - 13/09/2009 04:39:33 PM 504 Views

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