Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 60 (9209 total)
1 online now:
Newest Member: Skylink
Post Volume: Total: 919,486 Year: 6,743/9,624 Month: 83/238 Week: 0/83 Day: 0/24 Hour: 0/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Human Special-nes
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1659 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 31 of 35 (386862)
02-24-2007 9:20 AM
Reply to: Message 29 by Jon
02-24-2007 12:55 AM


Re: fast ticket?
But if I were an alien ...
If you don't fit the definition you would not be human by the definition. That is part of the purpose of a definition eh?
As noted by doddy that wouldn't mean we would stop considering you a member of an intelligent species (well most of us anyway ... can never tell about the fanatics ... ).
We don't include apes and dolphins in the definition of human even though they can communicate complex thoughts, rather we recognize that they are another species that can communicate complex thoughts.
Of course this also means that the ability to communicate complex thoughts is not special ....
Enjoy.

Join the effort to unravel AIDS/HIV, unfold Proteomes, fight Cancer,
compare Fiocruz Genome and fight Muscular Dystrophy with Team EvC! (click)


we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmericanOZen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 29 by Jon, posted 02-24-2007 12:55 AM Jon has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 666 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 32 of 35 (386873)
02-24-2007 11:24 AM
Reply to: Message 30 by Doddy
02-24-2007 8:36 AM


Re: Person = human?
Doddy writes:
... this brings up the point of whether a person needs to be human.
As an interesting aside, we have the Persons Case in Canada:
quote:
The women asked, "Does the word 'person' in Section 24 of the British North America Act include female persons?" The campaign became known as The Persons Case and reached the Supreme Court of Canada on March 1928. The court denied the women from challenging the interpretation of the word “persons” which lead the five women to bring the case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in Britain. On October 18, 1929, the Privy Council unanimously declared that women will also be considered as “persons” under the BNA Act and are eligible to serve in the Senate.
Making one group "special" - e.g. males - can lead in some pretty bizzaro directions.
I'd still call you a "he" rather than an "it", but I wouldn't say human.
Just out of curiosity, how would you know if an alien was a "he", a "she" or an "other"?

Help scientific research in your spare time. No cost. No obligation.
Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC

This message is a reply to:
 Message 30 by Doddy, posted 02-24-2007 8:36 AM Doddy has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 33 by Doddy, posted 02-25-2007 7:26 AM ringo has not replied

  
Doddy
Member (Idle past 6164 days)
Posts: 563
From: Brisbane, Australia
Joined: 01-04-2007


Message 33 of 35 (386977)
02-25-2007 7:26 AM
Reply to: Message 32 by ringo
02-24-2007 11:24 AM


Re: Person = human?
Just out of curiosity, how would you know if an alien was a "he", a "she" or an "other"?
I wouldn't. But I guess if Jon wants to be considered female, and I do refer to "him" as male, I will accept correction and use whatever gender label Jon prefers.

"Der Mensch kann was er will; er kann aber nicht wollen was er will." (Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills.) - Arthur Schopenhauer
Help inform the masses - contribute to the EvoWiki today!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 32 by ringo, posted 02-24-2007 11:24 AM ringo has not replied

  
Jon
Inactive Member


Message 34 of 35 (387169)
02-26-2007 5:58 PM


Jon would like to inform everyone of two things: First, he prefers to be referred to as "male" .
Second, he not only got an A on the paper, but also a "well done" comment... that's better than a tasty steak
Max

Replies to this message:
 Message 35 by kuresu, posted 02-26-2007 8:44 PM Jon has not replied

  
kuresu
Member (Idle past 2767 days)
Posts: 2544
From: boulder, colorado
Joined: 03-24-2006


Message 35 of 35 (387191)
02-26-2007 8:44 PM
Reply to: Message 34 by Jon
02-26-2007 5:58 PM


I'd hate to see what an "F" paper would look like, if your paper got an "A".

This message is a reply to:
 Message 34 by Jon, posted 02-26-2007 5:58 PM Jon has not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024