Definition of sentience?

[superslug]

I personally believe that human beings, while animals, are also more-that our species is at a higher level of existence than the rest of the animal kingdom due to our sentience. Yet when I read the various definitions of sentience, I see many qualifications that could also be argued for animals.

So, the first question is, do you believe mankind has a level of sentience distinct from all other known species? And if so, what differentiates us from them? What is unique about us above all else?

 

[WS78]

Sentience: we tell ourselves we're better than animals.

 

[The Last Conformist]

I suppose animals could be sorted into a hierarchy of sentience, with humans at or near the top. It's seems pretty clear to me that the sentience gap between a chimp and a human is much smaller than that 'tween a sponge and a chimp.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Well, humans are definitely LESS sentient than animals when it comes to predicting natural disasters.

Sentience = awareness, yes?

So I don't think it's 100-0 to humans.

 

[superslug]

Well, humans are definitely LESS sentient than animals when it comes to predicting natural disasters.

Sentience = awareness, yes?

So I don't think it's 100-0 to humans.

Reminds me of all the animals and birds that ran from the beaches last December. But is that really sentience? Or more instinct?

 

[CruddyLeper]

I think it's sentience. They are aware of an event before it has happened.

Refusing to label behaviour as sentience because it happens in non-humans is surely just prejudice?

 

[Stylesjl]

We can detect natural disasters, its called noise, sonar, and radar, and other modern equipment

 

[CruddyLeper]

We can detect natural disasters, its called noise, sonar, and radar, and other modern equipment

Yes - but we CAN'T PREDICT THEM!

 

[superslug]

Are you sure it's prediction? It's possible they knew it was coming.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Are you sure it's prediction? It's possible they knew it was coming.

What is the difference? You predict something, you know it's going to happen.

 

[superslug]

What is the difference? You predict something, you know it's going to happen.

I'm trying to figure out what your point is. We can predict natural disasters, and in a lot of cases better than animals.

 

[CruddyLeper]

I'm trying to figure out what your point is. We can predict natural disasters, and in a lot of cases better than animals.

By the time you know an earthquake's happening, all the local wildlife is over the horizon.

 

[superslug]

By the time you know an earthquake's happening, all the local wildlife is over the horizon.

I didn't say all cases.

 

[superslug]

Is it possible to define our singular sentience by our ability to exist in areas "unnatural" to us? i.e. travel to polar regions, under water, outerspace, etc...

 

[stormbind]

If sentience scaled from 0 to 100, every creature on earth would score 0 or 1

 

[Yom]

We are certainly more sentient than animals, but sentience itself is difficult to define (like life). Is a PNA, RNA, or DNA molecule that reproduces itself sentient? How about a single cell? A Volvox colony? What about smile molds, mice, cats, dolphins, and chimps? What about humans? I know plenty of people who don't seem to think very much.

 

[Cheetah]

I define sentience as self-awareness. If a being knows it exists and tries to continue existing, then it is sentient.

Humans are more sentient than animals I suppose, but animals are sentient as well.

 

[Elrohir]

Human beings are sentient. Animals are not.

 

[stormbind]

How do you know (other) animals are not sentient? Have you swapped bodies with them or something?

 

[Elrohir]

Their brains are not advanced enough to attain human levels of sentience.