We process fuel, expel waste, and our purpose is to propagate genetic material. Are we just machines?
2007-03-27 06:34:19 · 15 answers · asked by Voight-Kampff 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Using that definition, yes..
2007-03-27 06:41:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, especially humans. Humans can choose not to consume fuel, not to expel waste and not to propagate genetic material.
We can choose our functions, machines are tools, their functions are predesigned and they cannot work outside the boundaries given to them. They are not adaptive.
Another main difference is imagination, which machines do not have, which allows us to be more adaptive.
If a machine, which is a tool, ever gets imagination and the ability to adapt like a living animal, it would be called an animal. We however will never be called machines, even if we exhibit some similarities. What similarities there are are also because of the natural world, we cannot design and build something that does not work within the required laws of physics.
Hope this makes sense.
2007-03-27 06:44:31 · answer #2 · answered by Luis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, quite sophisticated carbon based machines with very efficient chemical processes for handling energy generation and usage.
So what? I mean, does it make any diference in your life if your body can be described as a machine? Even if you believe there is something beyond our material experience, your body IS GOING TO DIE, that is, the machine will cease to work, independently of whether the is an escence that lives beyond it.
2007-03-27 06:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by adar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if you go for this reductionist answer here lies Psychosis . You wouldn't want that , Or would you .
Yes we can be reduced to seeing animal and human life as machines but that robs us of their essence ,spirit , these cells are just a way of the soul inhabiting the body to learn Karmic lessons . Read about Monism and Dualism . An Interesting Philosophical debate .
2007-03-27 06:42:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well although you make a good point, machines usually are not made of genetic material and rather metal so in effect by definition we are not machines.
2007-03-27 07:06:26 · answer #5 · answered by kissaled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. We are living things. Neither animals or people ar machines. We feel things, have the reason and logic to make a decision, we remember, we are made of flesh...the list goes on and on and on and it would take me too long to type all the reasons to list why we are not machines.
2007-03-27 08:03:19 · answer #6 · answered by third_syren_of_seduction 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whilst you have humanity you can never become a machine. Sadly, it's different for factory farmed animals who are not machines but are treated as though they were.
2007-03-27 10:44:31 · answer #7 · answered by Beau Brummell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be easy to place them in such a category with such technology of the time, but it is not true. the animals nor we humans can be in that class. for many distinct reasons. It is only human to construct models as we study but they are not us and we are not them. It is difficult at times to separate this view but it must remain separate from our uniqueness.
2007-03-27 06:43:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Machines don't think and feel. They aren't capable of writing poetry with feeling.They cannot compose music or give birth.
2007-03-27 06:38:31 · answer #9 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe machines, but not just!0!
2007-03-27 06:37:29 · answer #10 · answered by Alex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much - we just arn't efficient. WE consume a lot more energy than we actually use.
If you've ever seen Anatomy for beginners you'll gain new respect for your body - I certainly did
2007-03-27 09:29:05 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋