X-Message-Number: 16976
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 11:42:57 -0700
From: Olaf Henny <>
Subject: Constructive Thinking Without Consciousness?
References: <>

From the debate on consciousness here on cryonet, it appears,
that the definition of consciousness, and who has it, covers a wide
range of divergence.  I believe, that the fly or mosquito, which
escapes my slapping hand has fear, recognizes the approaching
danger and consciously tries to get away, therefore is conscious.
Others seem to put the limit between man and the rest of the
fauna, writing all else off as instinct.

So here is the reason of this posting, an article in today's The
Province paper here in Vancouver:

Quote:
Quack thinking mom rescues her brood
By Mark Wilson, Staff Reporter

It was the tug of the wild, that surprised Ray Petersen.
     The Vancouver police civilian worker was walking beneath the
north approach ramp to Granville Street Bridge at 6 a.m.
yesterday, when a duck pulled at one of his pant legs with her
beak.
She then waddled to a storm drain 20 metres away.
     After this exercise was repeated twice, Petersen walked over
to the drain and saw that a brood of ducklings had slipped
through the grating.
     A Busters Towing truck lifted the grating and Petersen use a
colander to lift out the ducklings, which were quickly reunited
with their resourceful mother.
     "It was nearly unbelievable that a wild duck would behave
like that" said Petersen.

End of quote

I say, that this duck supplied us with a good example for
constructive thinking, which must account for consciousness,
even if you refuse to accept the fear of the fly as such evidence.

Best,
Olaf
PS: The ethics of quoting:  If I quote a text verbatim, do I have
to include spelling and punctuation errors of the original, or am
I allowed to correct these?  I have done a bit of both in the above
text. : ^)

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=16976