Absence of Evidence, or Evidence of Absence; A paper on Animal Consciou

Absence of Evidence, or Evidence of Absence? A paper on Animal Consciousness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Consciousness is a difficult term to grasp; so much so, that many scientists will not even attempt to define the term, much less search for it’s evidence. Most however, do agree that consciousness must include certain aspects; specifically cognition, self-awareness, memory, and abstract thought.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lesley J. Rogers describes consciousness as, â€Å"related to awareness, intelligence, and complex cognition, as well as language. Consciousness may be manifested in self-awareness, awareness of others, intentional behavior, including intentional communication, deception of others, and in the ability to make mental and symbolic representations (13).†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is no question that humans carry these attributes, but what about animals? Some philosophers, including Descartes, claimed that while humans are conscious, animals are like machines, with no thought process or sentience. Others claim that animals are very capable of consciousness, and that we just have not had the capabilities to test the aspects of it through the scientific method. As Donald R. Griffin expressed: Conscious thinking may well be a core function of central nervous systems. For conscious animals enjoy the advantage of being able to think about alternative actions and select behavior they believe will get them what they want or help them avoid what they dislike or fear. Of course human consciousness is astronomically more complex and versatile than any conceivable animal thinking, but the basic question addressed†¦is whether the difference is qualitative and absolute, or whether animals are conscious even though the content of their consciousness is undoubtedly limited and very likely quite different of ours. (3)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper will look at what evidence there is that may imply that some, if not all, vertebrate animals may have the capacity for conscious thinking. Cognition, for example is something that animals may require in order to adapt to their changing environments so quickly. Cognition is an animal’s ability to make a decision by evaluating or processing current information based on some representation of prior experience (Kamil in Pepperberg 127). Some animal studies, such as Franci... ...th other animals, because we do not share the same forms of communication. We can not ask what other animals are thinking, what they want or feel, or even determine if they have a sense of self. What is known right now is that we do not know, but that is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater and assume animal consciousness does not or can not exist. Until further observations or tests can be developed that will start to lead man to a closer understanding of the animal mind, it is important to remember that absence of evidence does not imply evidence of absence. Works Cited Griffin, Donald R. Animal Minds: Beyond Cognition to Consciousness.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2001. Patterson, Francine, and Eugene Linden. The Education of Koko. New York,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NY: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1981. Pepperberg, Irene. The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  of Grey Parrots. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1999. Rogers, Lesley J. Minds of Their Own. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1998. Wynne, Clive D.L. Animal Cognition. New York, NY: Palgrave, 2001.

Anti-Gay Attitude in Schools

The article I read was on anti-gay comments in Canadian schools. Two university professors of Manitoba conducted a national survey of both homosexual and heterosexual teens. Out of 3,700 students across Canada, hear insulting comments on a daily basis. The survey found that seventy per cent of students heard phrases like â€Å"that’s so gay† and forty eight per cent heard derogatory terms like â€Å"faggot,† â€Å"lezbo† and â€Å"dyke† every day. The article recommends that school boards should apply gay-straight alliances such as the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer) groups which are common in high school and a broad education as well as better teacher training. People who are insulted for being gay are simply harassed. Everyone has the right to life and security as guaranteed by our constitution. We have many bullies at school and comments such as those as I listed and are just another form of a put down and should not be allowed anywhere, including school. Students who do this are just ignorant and immature but adults who ignore it are the real problem. This relates to psychology because if you examine the percentage of people who get harassed in school; could have mental health issues in the future such as stress for being discriminated in schools, suffering from anxiety and depression, or addictive behaviour because of their sexual orientation. This could also lead to eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide. The likelihood of suicides happening are people who probably can’t cope with discrimination, isolation, and loneliness. In conclusion, the researchers said that there is a lot of ground to help push for an improved school climate which is true because high school is tough for everyone. And even after high school it doesn't stop being tough.

The Epic Of Gilgamesh, By King Of Uruk - 1813 Words

Epics are long poems, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation. There are numerous epics known to us today, and the epic of Gilgamesh is one of them. This epic is one of the oldest epic ever written in the world. This epic was written on eleven different clay tablets. It used to be told only orally many years before it was written down. So many versions and languages of this epic has been disseminated, but the English version of this epic was sensational when released. The Epic of Gilgamesh offers the story and adventure of Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, who was two-thirds god and one-third man. Uruk was in Mesopotamian and was the largest city†¦show more content†¦Because of Gilgamesh’s behavior, the people of Uruk complained so Anu summoned Aruru to create one who is equal in strength with Gilgamesh so that they can contend with each other so that Uruk would have peace. Aruru created valiant Enkidu from clay. He knew neither people nor inhabited land, and he dressed and fed just like animals did. A hunter noticed Enkidu, and how strong and smart he was. Enkidu used to destroy the hunter’s trap, and help the wildlife escape the hunter’s attacks. The hunter told his father and his father sent him to tell Gilgamesh about it. Gilgamesh told the hunter to take Shamhat, a harlot, and use her to lure and take his vitality. The hunter did as told and it worked. Enkidu fell for her charms and slept with her. Shamhat talked to Enkidu and tried to convince him to renounce his audacity and his wild beast lifestyle. She also told him about Gilgamesh and how strong and perfect he was in stature. She tried to convince him to follow her back to Uruk to see Gilgamesh, and stay. Fortunately, Gilgamesh was having strange dreams around this time, and he told his mother, Ninsun, about it. Ninsun explained his dream to him and told him it means someone wit h divine strength would be coming soon, and that he would make him his partner and they would love each other. It is interesting how mighty and perfect Gilgamesh is, but still he used this qualities to oppress most of hisShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Gilgamesh : King Of Uruk1332 Words   |  6 PagesIn the verse narrative The Epic of Gilgamesh the principal character Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, is described as an entity that is two-thirds god and one-third man. Gilgamesh is a hero/protagonist who exhibits many more human features than divine features. This makes him a flawed hero because all humans are flawed. He is even described in human terms. â€Å"A perfect physical specimen, gifted athlete and sex machine† [Davis p.154]. 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Being tired of this the people of Uruk began sobbing, and the goddess Aruru heard their cries and created Gilgamesh s equal Enkidu. Together they would go on to venture into battles, one of which leads to the death of Enkidu that brings Gilgamesh to his veryRead MoreLeadership And The Tao Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh1665 Words   |  7 PagesÚta-napà ­shti is the greatest example of Leadership and the Tao in the Epic of Gilgà ¡mesh. This essay will demonstrate what good leadership is versus bad. This essay will compare the leadership styles of Úta-napà ­shti who saved humanity from the great flood, Gi lgà ¡mesh, king of the city of Úruk. This essay will also define leadership, the way of the Tao. 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