2007-10-10 13:23:20 · 18 answers · asked by CARLSTEIN 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1. Define "rational thinking"
2. Show that humans are the only living things with "rational thinking".
Then, let's talk.
2007-10-10 13:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, you could argue that point, and I can concede saying that we are the only animals that have evolved this far (because we are technically classified as animals, we're not plants and have root now are we?) And I can go against that line of thinking saying that most life IS rational. At least those animals with a pack mentality. A wolf, who has cubs, will often stay behind during a hunt, and others of the pack give her food for her and her cubs, isn't that caring and rather rational? Or a chimp who helps out one of its brethren? This may not be an argument for rationality, but I would like to think that proves that at least SOME animals have sentience...Hope this helps! ^_^
2007-10-10 20:31:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are other animals who have rational thinking to some degree. This goes beyond simple positive/negative reinforcement too.
If anything humans seem to do a number of irrational things. I don't know of many animals who will do stupid things that don't even benefit to survival.
2007-10-10 20:30:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is at human point of view, that they are having rational thinking. At other animals point of view, it's the other way round.
2007-10-10 23:13:46 · answer #4 · answered by Tan D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt people are the only ones. But you can't really speak for other animals, because you can't get into their heads.
But not all people think rationally.
2007-10-10 20:29:36 · answer #5 · answered by Blackbird 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God made us smart and we sinned
i say the animals only have rational thinking!
2007-10-10 20:35:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lately, I've seen little evidence of rational thinking.
2007-10-10 20:28:26 · answer #7 · answered by kvcar2 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's no proof that this is the truth. Dolphins have even more developed cerebral cortex than we do, and this is the area most responsible for "rational thinking".
2007-10-10 21:07:45 · answer #8 · answered by Zelda Hunter 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We aren't
Ants store up food in there colonies so they have enough for when the winter comes. To me that's rational thinking.
There are many examples, but only one is needed
2007-10-10 20:35:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The evolutionary pressure to develop intelligence, in order to survive calamities such as ice ages, was intense. Many other species went extinct instead. See:
2007-10-10 20:29:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋