Descartes
Submitted by rerigirl on April 17, 2008
Category: Philosophy
Words: 271 | Pages: 2
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Descartes assertion about language in animals has been discredited by new studies that prove that animals possess consciousness and language abilities that distance them from machines. Before I give counter-examples to Descartes argument, it is important that I first explain Descartes line of reasoning. Descartes believes that language and reasoning set humans apart from all other species. This is because an animal’s behavior can be explained without involving consciousness and mind. Descartes states that the deaf and dumb understand sign language and are able to communicate effectively more than an animal. In addition, the parrot, that claims to know how to communicate is only imitating sounds derived from humans and cannot speak fluently like humans. “It never happens that it arranges its speeches in various ways in order to reply appropriately to everything that maybe said in...