• goedel@discuss.tchncs.de
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    5 days ago

    what I mean is it’s an arbitrary line to draw. you might choose to draw the line at living things, or terrestrial life, or terrestrial and ocean life. but, arbitrarily, some people choose to draw the line at sentience. the vegan society definition arbitrarily draws the line at animal life.

    • iglou@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      5 days ago

      Again, it is not arbitrary, it is based on what we understand of sentience. Nothing arbitrary about it.

        • iglou@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          5 days ago

          That is not what arbitrary means.

          It is a rational decision grounded in scientific research. That is by definition not arbitrary.

          • goedel@discuss.tchncs.de
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            5 days ago

            many people choose other lines, and their decisions are equally as arbitrary as someone who draws the line at sentience.