iamkiller Basket Case Age: 36 Gender: Female Posts: 19586
November 30th, 2006 at 09:53pm
Just bringing up a point, because we had a heated debate in my English class today.
My English teacher says that it is proven that animals don't think. He thinks that everything for animals is instinct or just behavior.
I don't see how this can be true.. when dkjfg I don't know. I just don't see it.
They have to think, in my opinion. How else would they make choices, etc.?
But my teacher ALSO says that thinking is sorely based on choices, and that is something that animals don't do: make choices.
Reflect? I don't know how to explain to him Unless you agree, explain.
Well, we have our very own thinking Moose here on Gsb... so that ho'z wrong
K, serious now. I wouldn't go as far as to say animals can't think. They can think, but what seperates Humans from animals is that we have the ability to reason, animals don't have that. Of course they think! Everything you do requires you to think, using instincts is thinking.
However, Humans can reason and use logic, other animals lack the ability to do that.
Matt Smith Admin Age: 33 Gender: Female Posts: 31134
December 1st, 2006 at 10:59am
To think is to exist.
That is my personal philosophy on this issue.
Yeah it goes back to instinct or behaviour but they still think..
Peter Petrelli King For A Couple Of Days Age: 35 Gender: Female Posts: 4161
December 1st, 2006 at 01:54pm
Well, I think that animals can think to a certain extent, some species more so.
My cat sits outside the door, pushes at the cat flap weakly until you open it. She then sits and waits, and only comes in as you turn away, or start to close the door. Is that thinking 'I'm going to annoy these people as much as humanly possible?'
Robbie Falling In Love With The Board Age: 34 Gender: Male Posts: 9947
December 1st, 2006 at 03:22pm
If I put my dog in front of the mirror, it sniffs itself, then looks behind the mirror.
I would define this as cognitative thought.
Just because an animal doesn't reason or think in a human way, doesn't mean that it isn't thinking. My dog is surprisingly intelligent, and although a lot of 'tricks' are just repeated actions with a cue he does 'think'.
Well, we have our very own thinking Moose here on Gsb... so that ho'z wrong
K, serious now. I wouldn't go as far as to say animals can't think. They can think, but what seperates Humans from animals is that we have the ability to reason, animals don't have that. Of course they think! Everything you do requires you to think, using instincts is thinking.
However, Humans can reason and use logic, other animals lack the ability to do that.
I think you put it rather well. Don't you all agree?
And I also agree with Bloodraine. I mean, if you're dead, you won't think. But being alive, you have to think in some sorta thing. Dogs can dream. So, don't know. I just can't imagine it possible for a living thing to NOT think.
davey jones. Falling In Love With The Board Age: 32 Gender: Female Posts: 7018
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:42pm
Bloodraine:
To think is to exist.
That is my personal philosophy on this issue.
Exactly.
newagecarny Was Here Two Weeks Ago Age: 33 Gender: Female Posts: 42495
So they have squeeks and moos for things like "I hate her!" xD
Matt Smith Admin Age: 33 Gender: Female Posts: 31134
December 2nd, 2006 at 07:07pm
+_Pledged_+:
They have no language to think in.
Just because you can't understand it.
I mean, do you think Chinese people can't think just because you don't understand Mandarin?
You do not need a language to think necessarily. Do you think mute people can't think either?
And since when have you been an animal anyway? You don't bloody know if they have a language or not.
cactus. Falling In Love With The Board Age: 34 Gender: Female Posts: 6442
December 3rd, 2006 at 07:34am
There's also body language , which helps animals cominucate.
Animals think, they can correlate certain information and deduct stuff. My dog and cat colaborated to open the door, because on their own they couldn't have done it, only together.
They also have a memory. You can't remember stuff if you can't think. An animal remembers places, people, smells, experiences.
And they have feelings too. I know some of you may dissagree, but this is my opinion.
That I know for sure, from various experiences. I know when my cat or dog is sad or happy, and my dog is to a certain point compassionate. They like certain people, and they hate others with a passion.
Just because you can't understand it.
I mean, do you think Chinese people can't think just because you don't understand Mandarin?
You do not need a language to think necessarily. Do you think mute people can't think either?
And since when have you been an animal anyway? You don't bloody know if they have a language or not.
Firstly, woah with the aggressivness ._.
And, I'm pretty sure Madarin is a language.
It's just
If you were a dog, what stuff would you think, y'know?
I'm sorry if that made no sense at all ;_;
But I know what I mean god damnit xD
Matt Smith Admin Age: 33 Gender: Female Posts: 31134
December 3rd, 2006 at 01:30pm
+_Pledged_+:
Bloodraine:
Just because you can't understand it.
I mean, do you think Chinese people can't think just because you don't understand Mandarin?
You do not need a language to think necessarily. Do you think mute people can't think either?
And since when have you been an animal anyway? You don't bloody know if they have a language or not.
Firstly, woah with the aggressivness ._.
And, I'm pretty sure Madarin is a language.
It's just
If you were a dog, what stuff would you think, y'know?
I'm sorry if that made no sense at all ;_;
But I know what I mean god damnit xD
Sorry if I freaked you out xD
Ok. Since you mentioned a Dog, we'll take my Dog as a case study.
He's five years old. He's not the brightest animal, but he's dumb and cuddly. What would a dog think about?
Well, my dog likes walks and chasing ducks. I guess he thinks about those things.
He's scared of men because he was abused by one before we got him. I think that is pretty much a prime example of thought. Maybe he remembers being abused by a man, and he is scared other men will do it again. But if he doesn't have a memory (although I'm pretty sure he does... He remembers places we take him for walks) then why is he still scared of men? Instinct? What caused that instinct?.
Then why isn't he scared of my dad?
Is that 'cause my dad is one of his main sources of affection and my dad takes him for walks and feeds him?.
I'd say my dog thinks. He was abused and therefore afraid of men, although he is not afraid of my dad, who he probably trusts. Y'know?.
Just being able to differentitate like that is a sign of thinking.
But that's based on memory I guess...Just pictures...
Can dog's do math? Add and subtract?
That's the kinda thinking i'm on aboot..
Matt Smith Admin Age: 33 Gender: Female Posts: 31134
December 3rd, 2006 at 01:39pm
+_Pledged_+:
But that's based on memory I guess...Just pictures...
Can dog's do math? Add and subtract?
That's the kinda thinking i'm on aboot..
Yeah, maybe that is based on memory. But memory recall when applied to a particular situation, where does that come from?
I can't do Math or add or subtract.
Are you suggesting I can't think?
I think its entirely absurd to suggest that just because one cannot do mathematics or read, or write, cannot think. At least seven million UK adults are functionally illiterate, according to a UN survey. Well, that must make 7 million of us in the UK who cannot think at all. How bizzare.
Unless you agree, explain.
Sorry if I freaked you out xD