QUESTION: Suppose we use genetic manipulation to insert genes into the DNA of Dolphins that allow greater intelligence and speech. Suppose then that these genetically-engineered dolphins become self-aware. Would these dolphins have a soul? When does a creature or being cross the line from non-sentient to sentient? Does crossing that line garner the being a soul? This question could apply to Artificial Intelligence and even to children.My Response: Scripture teaches that man is a 3-part being: body, soul and spirit. What biblically distinguishes man from animals is that man was the only creature that God made a "living soul," indicating there is a significant difference between the animal and human soul. That difference is further clarified in understanding that the spirit is unique to man. Man is a living soul because he has a spirit that is eternal.
Intelligence and speech are functions of the mind, which is part of the soul. However advanced man may make animals, or artificial intelligence, he has no ability to impart a spirit into a non-spiritual being. Genetic engineering holds both promise and problems for the future. I do not, however, believe that there is any way man can move an animal or a machine into the realm of spiritual reality.
What do you think?
I'm not sure that this can be answered decisively. In a sense, to have personality is to have a soul. I am not sure but I think that there is a lot of confusion about soul and spirit. We became a living soul, yet it is the spirit that differenciates us from the lower animals. God knows us because he can see our spirit and because we have the Holy Spirit, we now know God's character. Perhaps animals do have a soul...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could swim underwater a long time like a dolphin can.However, I would not enjoy having a doplphin as an employer.
ReplyDeleteI believe that intelligent design (God) intended for man (made in His image)"Imago Dei" to be a higher species. I think God was specific when He gave humanity a soul and not animals. I think I will add this to my "ask God" list. Along with how a cow can eat green grass and give us white milk?
What about a soul emulation? Could we, some time in the future, create a sufficiently complex program to emulate the soul? Could we impart upon that program the ability to weigh right and wrong? Could we let the program re-write its own code, thereby allowing for evolution of the program? How is that different from what you and I do when we weigh right and wrong, or when we learn, grow and change?
ReplyDeleteWhile all of the program's choices would be derived from programming, it would still be making choices. Communication, thought, logic would be present. It would LOOK like a soul - a mind as explained above.
I think man could create a mind at some future date. (Unless Jesus comes back first)
Thank you for your comments HAL, but you don't actually address whether a SPIRIT could be created by man. A spirit (as defined in the original poster's "Response") is what God gave man to set him apart. Could man in turn impart this into a creature?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all you have to know what is defined as a "spirit". I would argue that a spirit is self-awareness.
The mind (part of the soul as defined by the OP) will act in predictable ways (which is what might allow it to be copied and created by mankind). For example if a program is threatened to be shut down, it may act in self defense. Self-preservation is distinct from self-awareness. Similarly, thought and logic are markedly different from self-awareness.
Self-awareness implies the need for salvation. While an animal mind or even a programmed mind may act in an evil way, there wouldn't be need for redemption unless that mind was self-aware.
Cogito ergo sum. Plagiarism, Flipper, plagiarism.
ReplyDeleteHal and Flipper have good points.
But the real question is: when does a being become self-aware?
When is a child responsible for its own actions? At what point will a child be accountable?
Truly we are all born into sinful nature. When do our actions become sin? Surely an infant or young child who dies would not be condemned for eternity. When does that infant gain a spirit?
Will a mentally handicapped individual be responsible for his actions on Judgment Day? Are the mentally handicapped in possession of a spirit?
We can not answer. We can argue and we can speculate. But we can not know.
Am I self-aware? How can you be sure? I act self-aware, but perhaps I have simply been programmed to ACT that way.
Every once in a while my dog becomes self-aware of it's tail, but that doesn't negate the fact that salvation is now required.
ReplyDeleteGod as according to the Bible has laid down a law that animals don't follow. A law of good and evil.
It is from this law that brings us under the curse and requires redemption.
If an animals were to reach the statice of a living being then would God's law become contradictory when he said "thou shall not kill"
when he has pointed out that killing animals for food is legitimate?