In your eyes, what defines sentience?

Question

This is a very philosophical question, and it's very opinion based, so there will be no official "best" answer. The voted or chosen one is only used to close the question. Everyone's answer is equally valid.

In your eyes, as the person reading this, what makes a sentient being sentient? Why?

In my eyes, sentience is the ability to feel, think, communicate.

With feeling I mean feelings such as happiness and sadness, pain, suffering, joy, pleasure, not touch.

With thoughts I mean basic thought, such as "What is my next meal", and "How shall I retrieve my next meal", as well as more complex thoughts, such as "What is beauty", for example.

With communication I mean the full body of communication, from verbal communication, to facial expressions, to the glint in our eyes, to how we hold ourselves and pass ourselves off, and how we perceive other beings in all of the above ways.

By my definition of sentience, many animals would automatically be considered sentient as well. Great example: Canis Lupus Familiaris, or dogs.

They think in a relatively simple way, yet can probably form pretty complex thoughts. They feel strong emotions, especially toward their pack leaders. Us. They will give their lives for us. They communicate those feelings expressively, fully, and honestly. If you have a dog, you'll know that glint in their eye, as if something in there is looking back at you, wondering what you're thinking right now, as it looks at the glint in your eye.

Answer 1

Usual a noun and a verb although a phrase like "Help!" Is considered a full sentence.



Oh, sentience. Beats hell outta me. The ability to fill out a tax form? If so, then I failed.

Answer 2

"Very philosophical" and no right answer?

The word sentient comes from the word sense. Any creature who has sensory organs is sentient.



You are confusing it with 'sapience' (as in H#m* sapiens), and there will be disagreements over that.



OMG, Yahoo won't let me spell the name of our species! **** sapiens

Answer 3

Sentience is the ability to have sensation.



Mind is a part of everything, even inorganic matter. In inorganic matter, mind is nearly completely unconscious. Sensation is absent. In organic matter there is sufficient level of consciousness for some form of sensation, however rudimentary, and this is sentience. So I think even a plant has some form of sentience. Only in man is there sufficient level of consciousness for self-awareness.

Answer 4

A reaction which conforms, more or less, to my expectation for "normality". A degree of empathy. An indication of perception of external stimuli.

Answer 5

can i suck u p3nis

Answer 6

Showing awareness of environment and conformity in natural reaction to external sensory stimuli. Natural bonding to a group and being a member. Sees value in itself and others. Capable of deductive reason and opinion.