Hacker News Reader

If tomorrow we find proof that dolphins make conscious decisions, will they cease to be nature?

I suspect whether to draw the line to make 'nature' include or exclude humans is very similar to whether to include or exclude the observer in quantum mechanics.

Both perspectives are entirely reasonable, but they are useful in different circumstances.

View on HN

Tomorrow? Of course animals make conscious decisions. This orangutan had, prior to implemention, made a conscious decision to build a hammock by tying a sheet to the cage bars.

https://roaring.earth/orangutan-builds-a-hammock/

The orangutan's ability to build a hammock does not change its responsibility towards its environment (as its ability to alter it is still very low). However, my ability to start a fire does come with significant responsibility.

Where do beavers and their damns land in your estimation?

If we plotted potential for environmental impact(Y) vs moral agency(X), beavers would be up and to the left, orangutans bottom right and humans up and to the right (beating both on both axis).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com