Dolphin philosophy

From: Vincent Campbell (v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk)
Date: Tue Aug 15 2000 - 14:32:27 BST

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From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk>
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: Dolphin philosophy
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 14:32:27 +0100
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    Hi everyone,

    I have a question that actually directly relates to my "proper" work (i.e.
    that I get paid for), that some of your various expertise may be able to
    help me with.

    I'm writing a book about journalism, and I am currently writing a brief
    section about the historical development of communication. I'm taking it
    quite a long way back, and I want to make sure I'm not in Sokal and
    Bricmont's next book!

    What I want to say, only as an aside in a footnote really, is that human
    language is complex to the point where we are able to discuss abstract ideas
    like the meaning of life, whilst other animals do not.

    Now from previous postings on this list, in the footnote I want to point out
    that observations of chimp behaviour both in the wild and of chimps taught
    sign language in captivity, offer some evidence that chimps may have
    thoughts about life, the universe and everything, but that (in the wild at
    least) they don't have discussions about their thoughts.

    Then it occured to me that Dolphins do have a quite sophisticated
    communication system, and are pretty intelligent, and as far as I know
    researchers are still some way from working out whether it constitutes a
    language or not. What I want to ask is whether or not there are some
    references to work where the issue of what dolphins are talking about (if
    they are talking at all), and whether or not its plausible that they could
    talk about abstract things like life, the universe and everything, have been
    debated?

    If anyone can help that would be great.

    Vincent

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