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To: Kevin OMalley; js1138; Dinsdale
For perspective, here's the type of thing they discuss over on DU:

BullGooseLoony (1000+ posts) Tue Sep-20-05 09:18 PM
Original message

Philosophical question: Are humans the "top" of the natural intellectual hierarchy?

I look at my cats, and I understand that they don't fully comprehend everything that's going on with my decision making. Clearly, there is an intellectual and power hierarchy in nature. Certain creatures understand more, or understand things differently, than others.

The question is, though, are we at the top? Are we that lucky?

Or...no...maybe the question is, if we weren't at the top, would we understand that fact? Or would we look at the food bowl, our world, being filled with the same appreciation, but still the same lack of understanding, as our cats' experience in seeing our actions?

That's not to say that the human intellect, as it is today, might be the greatest possible, as far as potential. I think we're still evolving. But, do you think it is even the greatest in existence?

How can someone in our condition, with our limited intellectual capacity, make the conclusion that there is nothing that understands things in a greater capacity than we do?

Query: Is a moonbat smarter than a house cat?

169 posted on 09/20/2005 6:59:14 PM PDT by dukeman
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To: dukeman

That's pretty funny, thanks.

Now you can see what will happen when the philosophers move in on this topic. Some folks may find me exasperating, just wait 'til you're up against one of those guys (on either side), that's how hair pulling was invented.


176 posted on 09/21/2005 9:29:40 AM PDT by Kevin OMalley (No, not Freeper#95235, Freeper #1165: Charter member, What Was My Login Club.)
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