descartes
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Submitted by rerigirl on 04/17/2008 05:43 PM Flag This Paper
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descartes
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 its presence as over the lowest man can doâ€.
With the advancement of Science and Technology, humans are now aware that animals possess reasoning and language skills like humans. Scientific research and studies have shown that animals do have emotion. “Emotions arise in the mammalian brain, or the limbic system, which human beings share in common with other mammals as well as many other speciesâ€. An animal therefore has the ability to be sad, frightful and bold. Additionally, according to a report on BBC, a research carried out on rates show that rats have the ability to distinguish between human languages. For example, a rat is capable of knowing the different between English and Dutch language. Based on modern science and research, there is no doubt that animals have a sense of perception.