Originally posted by Proper KnobMore importantly, a significant proportion of the world is illiterate - yet perfectly capable of communicating through language.
What a load of garbage you talk. There are lots of tribal languages that have no written form, the Massalit tribal language from Chad has no written language.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieSo language requires communication of abstract thought? Where do you get your definitions? Or do you make them up and change them as the thread progresses?
really?? which other creation is able to form abstract thoughts in their minds and then convey those thoughts to others, so that they also are able to grasp them? do tell, this should be interesting.
Originally posted by twhiteheadwhy dont you answer the question instead of resorting to your usual obfuscation, which other creatures can form abstract thought and communicate those thoughts through language, you have said that its not unique so which other creature does it? during the course of this inquiry it is noted that you have failed to produce one credible reference, indeed, not one of your assertions have stood, to wit, you have claimed that Apes are conscious, evidence, nil, you have claimed that they are conscious of beauty and art, evidence, nil, you have claimed that language is not unique to humans, evidence , nill. All in all, i would state that you are the worst debater i have come across, you dont know what you are talking about or your an automated machine, so that when anyone actually tries to ascertain the basis for your arguments, you simply spill out more bilge.
So language requires communication of abstract thought? Where do you get your definitions? Or do you make them up and change them as the thread progresses?
Originally posted by twhiteheadAs I suspected, you are confusing communication with language, as if marking a boundary through sent by peeing on a piece of grass is the same as forming words and ideas with the vocal chords. What a spangle.
More importantly, a significant proportion of the world is illiterate - yet perfectly capable of communicating through language.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou ever hear recordings of whale songs? You think that is just the vocal equivalent of peeing on a rock?
As I suspected, you are confusing communication with language, as if marking a boundary through sent by peeing on a piece of grass is the same as forming words and ideas with the vocal chords. What a spangle.
Originally posted by Proper KnobI have asked my rabbits that question many times, they seem to all intents and purposes, to run on purely instinct. That they can feel threatened, agitated, happy and joyful, i have no doubt, but to reason, well, that's something else. Crows are quite clever though, i have observed them hiding food, cracking snails from on high, whether this is construed as problem solving and reasoning is another matter. Ans are incredible wise, they store food, cooperate, farm aphids, but again, i think its purely instinctive.
How do you know if other animals don't have a 'stream of thought'?
Originally posted by Proper KnobI dont, but then again, neither do you 🙂 I once watched a program where the trainer of a large Orca I think it was (beautiful creature) played three sounds, within the range of the whales sound, to signify action. Like, take the ball, a sound was played, give it back, a sound was played etc. It was recorded that the whale tossed the ball from the pool and made a sound at the same pitch for the command to 'take the ball'. This was hailed as the first command given by a creature to a human. I thought it was interesting, but pure coincidence, for it was unable to be replicated.
Well that answers my question above. If you can't speak whale how do you know that they don't have a 'stream of thought'?