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NASB | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, "Can it really be that God has said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" [Rev 12:9-11] |
Subject: Animal Intelligence Isn't Rational |
Bible Note: Clarification .................................. Dear Lionstrong, The never-ending struggle to find common ground continues :) In your last post, you talk about rationality in terms of "appreciation for her personal history" and "fear of death or non-being". This seems to me like you are talking about being self-aware, which is defined by the dictionary as "an awareness of one's own personality or individuality". If this is what you are talking about, then I also agree with you. Humans have an ability to recognize their unique existance, seperate from the rest of the universe. They are able to perceive that "I" am something other than just stuff (tissue and electric currents). They are also therefore concerned about what happens to "I" after the stuff ceases to function. I do not believe that animals have this ability, and I don't know of any experiments to the contrary. However, I would reiterate that this is "self-awareness", and that is beyond mere intellegence. You seem to agree that animals can communicate to some degree. I think that communication requires some level of intellegence and rationality; don't you? |