Descartes Man vs Animal
Movies and novels such as "Planet of the Apes" and 2001: A Space Odyssey are called Science Fiction because they portray situations that seem extremely unrealistic concurrent with contemporary philosophy. "Planet of the Apes" depicts a world where apes rule while humans are subjected to servitude and confinement. These apes speak intelligibly and are human-like in appearance and behavior. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the highly advanced computer, HAL 9000, an acronym for "Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer," controls the bulk of spaceship operation. It makes declarative statements, learns from mistakes and, in the beginning, interacts well with the crew. In both works non-human entities, apes in one and a robotic system in the other, make spontaneous declarations and perform functions based upon previously acquired "knowledge" which goes against what most consider to be normal animal/machine behavior, thus it is termed Science Fiction. In 1637, celebrated French philosopher and mathematician, René Descartes (1596-1650), published Discourse on Method, Optics, Geometry, and Meteorology in which he maintains that he had established two universal criteria to distinguish animals and machines from humans, and thus those entities without souls from those with. His criteria are the entity must have the capacity for speech and act from knowledge. His justifications that machines do not meet these two criteria are sound; however, he fails to verify that animals do the same. Descartes' argument that humans have an infinite capacity to make appropriate responses is true as well as his implication that this capacity is non-material.
Descartes' first argument is only humans have the capacity for speech. In the opening of Discourse on Method Descartes remarks that machines and animals could never use speech or signs as we do when placing our thoughts on record for the benefit of others. For we can easily understand a machine's being constituted so that it can utter
Descartes' first argument is only humans have the capacity for speech. In the opening of Discourse on Method Descartes remarks that machines and animals could never use speech or signs as we do when placing our thoughts on record for the benefit of others. For we can easily understand a machine's being constituted so that it can utter