The Difference of Man and the Difference it Makes (Humans)

by xeno6696 , Sonoran Desert, Wednesday, July 08, 2009, 14:51 (5408 days ago) @ dhw

dhw, - The distinction here is in one of words--universal consciousness means that the universe itself is somehow alive and can think. Think Gaia applied to the universe. Human consciousness allows a pocket of consciousness in the universe, and since we're made of the same stuff as the universe, is similar to the universe being aware of itself, but since we have exact limits on what we can observe--it is not the same as a "universal consciousness." - As for everything else, very clearly we have things in common with other animals, and the basic problems of humans are not different from other animals. Yet another reason I have difficulties with the concept of setting us apart too far. So we can think abstractly. So what? That's only one difference, right? - We're also not the only ones who can think like that. Like I said earlier, even dogs use logic. (Not formalized, mind you.) And if you can teach a gorilla to tell you when she wants things, and that she wants say, a certain book or object, there is definitely a part of the brain that is not solely unique to humans. And the trait isn't wholly unique, only unique by degree.