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Aren't you ignoring the fact that all animals have free will, even though many are not self aware?
The ability to determine its next action [free will] may not necessarily indicate the level of an entities intelligence.
Fitz:
Most animals don't make/use tools, in the main, save useful adaptations and behaviours they have been endowed with. It is possible, however, someday we'll see an ape fashion a ladder and escape from a zoo.
No kidding? Does this insight have anything to do with my comment about free will & intelligence?
It's been definitely demonstrated that humans can make human and inhuman tools.
Again, you're making point not in contention. Why?
The ultimate inhuman tool could be SI/nanotech (would the acronym SIN be appropo?). Food for thought.
Ahh, I see; -- you want to make 'sin' the point.. Is it a sin to make the 'wrong' tools?
-- Ask your friendly ATF agent about making a machine gun. -- Then give some thought about who gets to decree what tools are to be "sinful".
I see your point.
Too bad we can't partition the world into regions where the Amish can be happy and unmolested, the SINers can be happy and the mushroom eaters can be likewise happy. I once hoped we could establish independent colonies around other stars for safety and separation, but I fear there is no time left for that.