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04-04-2003, 12:33 PM | #121 | |
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Okay...when we were kids, we thought about ourselves as adults. At my age, I remember being a kid, and I think about my life (many years from now) as a senior. In these ways, I can conceptualize myself as "different people". Can a dog "picture himself" in any sense beyond the first person? (i.e. the only world that exists to him is from the perspective of his two eyes, facing front). Additionally, I have a sense of self-actualization, I can see how I am similar and different to others. I can see where I fit in at work or in my neighbourhood, and likewise I can see where I do not. From what I have read, animals do not demonstrate these abilities. It is often said that a family dog thinks he's "people". Does a puppy think about his changing life as he ages? Does a puppy conceptualize himself as an adult dog with different roles or functions? For some reason, Aasimov's "I, Robot" comes to mind. Now I stress, I am not an animal behaviorist, so if you're keen on getting good answers, you'd be better off getting a qualified opinion. |
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04-04-2003, 12:46 PM | #122 | ||
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I think our cat has a level of consciousness - he knows when he's done something for which he will be scolded, he knows enough not to hurt me when we're roughhousing (i.e. he knows he's not being threatened), he seems to know, somehow, that when I step on his tail or foot (because he is always underfoot) that it was an accident and not intentional, and he is always on the stairs, by the door (waiting to run outside) when we come home (so he knows we'll be there at some point). He doesn't recognize himself in the mirror, and I doubt he wonders what his life would be like if he had joined the kitten circus. But that's because he has a wee little brain. Not to mention that he gets by on his good looks. Even for a cat, he's dumb as dirt. |
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04-04-2003, 01:18 PM | #123 |
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I've heard somewhere that one possible reason for dogs and cats not recognizing themselves in a mirror is due to the lack of scent in the reflection. Both animals rely heavily on their olfactory senses for individual idenitfication. They don't recognize their reflection in the mirror because they don't acknowledge the reflection as "real".
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04-04-2003, 01:25 PM | #124 | |
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The problem, though, is that a dog will often bark or growl at his reflection in the mirror because he/she thinks it is another dog. |
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04-04-2003, 01:52 PM | #125 | |||
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Of course my little darling Lenny is special. He is loaded with feelings and emotions. As far as I'm concerned he is human and my best friend who always shows me unconditional love. When he sees me putting my shoes on he's starts crying and screaming real high pitched to try to make me stay home. When He barks at strangers, his bark deepens . Perhaps to sound more macho? He goes ballistic when I come home, It's like I've been gone for months if I just go get a loaf of bread. He wiggles and turns in circles, then he goes to the couch to await his hugs.
Anyhoo, I just read this thread again and noticed this part again. I couldn't help but laugh. Where did Paul2 go? Quote:
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04-05-2003, 12:11 AM | #126 | |
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04-05-2003, 09:41 AM | #127 |
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Ahh, but at least one dog, I know of, knows that a treat is due for waiting to get outside before relieving himself.
I've spent a considerable amount of time contemplating the nature of consciousness. I've come to two conclusions. Neuroscience is still lacking the tools to properly account for the phenomena and we will have to accept a little humility when it does. The first is due to the massively complex network and interaction of neurons and chemicals that make up the brain. The second is that I suspect that our current sense of control and self-determination will be obliterated. Actually, I should say three conclusions. I have to keep reminding myself that I don't know anything. |
04-05-2003, 06:17 PM | #128 | |
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IMO your second conclusion has overlooked the fact that all knowledge requires preconception, which directly imply minds. IOW knowledge requires minds. SO any datum that says "there are no minds" can be dismissed as illusionary. The laws of physics do not indicate life. To study life (biology, psychology) we must first assume life exists. Between physics and biology, then, is a sort of boundary or membrane. The laws of biology do not indicate minds. To study minds, we first must assume they exist. Between biology and psychology, then, is a sort of boundary or membrane. Or so it seems to me, anyway. |
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04-05-2003, 08:11 PM | #129 |
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Topic: What does 'consciousness' mean to you?
Being a part of the medical profession, it means to me that I am not unconscious. |
04-11-2003, 07:19 AM | #130 |
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Dear Smilin.
Your original question, what does consciousness mean to you? Well, this is the answer we received from our universal contacts. Definition of Consciousness:- It's the ''band'' that defines what level of awakening is intergrated into living souls at the stage of seeding. Consciousness at birth is only seen as the second stage of the process and will be lived according to the contract already deemed. Consciousness must be from Soul level ''as to know'' what is before you in that Earthly life and what lessons are to come from it, Will give you your choices and path in life. This will not be resolved from 3D seeing as there is No answer, only Questions. This is So! Definition of the ''band'':- It is the ''Width'' given to the level of consciousness. This is the universal understanding of Consciousness. We leave it for you to ponder. Cheers. Malai5. |
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