Are Dolphins "Non-human Persons"?
Scientists have declared that dolphins are the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans. They have far bigger brains and are brighter than chimpanzees and their communications are similar to those of humans, so much so that it has been suggested that they be re-categorized as "non-human persons". The implications of this would make it unethical to keep dolphins captive in zoos and amusement parks, where 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises die each year.
Studies show how dolphins have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self, emotional sophistication and complex social structures. Bottlenose dolphins can recognise themselves in a mirror and use it to inspect various parts of their bodies, an ability that had been thought limited to humans and great apes.
It's also been documented that dolphins are “cultural” animals, meaning that new types of behaviour can be quickly transferred from one dolphin to another. Scientists have been astonished to see tricks taught to sick dolphins who spent time in captivity spreading among wild dolphins after the former patient was released back into the sea.
Image: "My Dolphin/ Mi Delfin" by Esparta on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing.
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Whales too!
I love to imagine whales and dolphins as having fully developed their ancestral survival capacities at least a few million years before homo sapiens popped into existence (up for argument). Under this assumption, what else would be left to evolve? Their brain capacity.
This is just leading up to the fun part: assuming this fun logic plays out, these beings could very well be the most spiritually evolved on Earth. We could be learning a lot from them. If they are self aware; if they are social; if they are cultural; if they are intelligent, could we actually learn how to weave a more resilient social matrix from interfacing with them? I like to dream so.
dolphins
I believe you are so correct in that dolphins are highly evolved and have a lot to teach us. Go to dolphinHeartworld.com and read about Linda Shay who is in touch with the dolphins and teaches a school that helps us use the energy they send to us to heal and live joyously.
Helene Star
good!
this is another step in the right direction. redefining where WE are in the spectrum of life... no longer on top, but now we have equals.
...and some, maybe, that are better!
No - non personalities
All beings have personality, hence are persons.
Even sub-atomic particles exhibit character reference at a very minute level.
Parakeets play with mirrors all the time with preferential distinctiion.
In Sanskrit the word "Caitanya" refers to immortal charater. The form of life one takes merely allows each soul a variety of character disposition ... including many human varietires. {SOUL TRANSMIGRATION OR REINCARNATION.
In the "Bhagavad Gita" it is mentioned that there are 400,00 varieties if human categories of development alone.
Like the different color and/or thickness of the sunglass lense determines how much or how little light is reflected therein ... the different density or modes of material coverings {guna's-Sanskrit} determine how much character referrnce the immortal soul is allowed to experience this time around.
Each form of life a different combonation of these guna's... When one finally transcends all gunas there is liberation, enlightenment, Samadhi, Nirvana etc
Just observe any litter of offspring and one will see different character references ... quiet, aggressive, goofy, sophisticated ... no different from the variety one see's in any human playground.
Even germs,cells, ants ... if one looks closely enough one will see character distinction ... hence personality.
One cannot separate "spiritt" or "soul" from character refernce at any level at any time ... according to the ancient "Vedas}
Some Westrrn religions in their nescience thought women, sleves etc did not even posses souls .... it is really just a question of obsevation.
Just llike a large crowd at a sporting event can exhibit collective moods on large scale ... boo ... yeah ... the sub atomic particles that make up a "chair" can also detrrmine how confortable one feels when siting in it as they react ... on a very small scale, to many influences ... including ones mood.
In high states of Entheogenic awareness many experience melting with matter ..walls breathing ... "becoming the chair" ... which is really no different than digging, or "really relating" to Mozart or the Sandwich one is eating {every sandwich is a reality sandwich} ... if one is in a state of yoga {universal term}
Playing In The 6D
I have read that the dolphin exists in the 3D, but is of 6D consciousness. They have the ability to turnoff half their brain when they sleep, and must remember to breathe.
The Sixth Dimension is the realm of the Magical Child or the Eternal Child - a state of innocence and joy that has its foundation in "wisdom" gained through experience.
The geometric shape..for the 6D... is the Icosahedron, the shape identified with the water molecule. Water is significant since it "imprints" information, and can change shape and potency depending on circumstances.
Life on Earth at this level (6D) is a constant game of creation and play - expressed at ever finer levels of expertise and awareness as the consciousness journeys into even higher levels of the 6D.
Thanks for this
Thanks for that article JP
Yet another reason to see this excellent film and sign the petition:
http://www.thecovemovie.com/
http://www.takepart.com/thecove
(I think it could win Oscar for best doc.)
John C. Lilly
evolve and accept animal rights, or don't...
...and remain aligned with ignorance, exploitation and violence. This helps make that decision even easier:
http://animalrights.about.com/od/animalrights101/a/BasicTenets.htm
Experience
Though it seems to be happening ever so slowly and gradually...Women and minorities receiving equal footing; animal rights issues moving into the wider debate...
Eventually humans will appreciate that the One who is experiencing what it is like to be a human, is simultaneously experiencing what it's like to be a Dolphin (and an Crow and a Carp and a Carrot, etc.) This 'discovery' will suggest to humans that since God has every "right" to experience these unique and varying degrees of consciousness, who are we to deny God this enjoyment by ruthlessly destroying these "things"?
I only wish this acknowledgment by humanity would come sooner rather than later.
Dolphins are No. 2
Plants?
I agree with you about plants
Just by looking closely at an ayahuasca vine or the bud of high grade marijuana bud is a kind of contact high--the beautiful organic complexity seems a clear marking by nature to designate doorways to other dimensions.
peace,
jp
Is there any movement
Wonderful
"Like humans, dolphins
Love it