| Dear Marcus:
Thanks for your answer. As always you think things out thoroughly. One thing: I'm pretty sure that there is a difference in the way that an organism 'experiences' pain or discomfort,which is physical, compared to 'experiencing sadness',which is emotional, and which as you pointed out requires a certain complexity and organization.
I don't think that a thing has to have a brain to feel pain. There are different kinds of nervous systems available to the different critters out there. And as alien as oysters are to us, and as unintelligent as we regard them, they still respond physically to a clean environment, good treatment, (like clean baskets to live in), etc.
I'm not sure a creature has to have a recognizable 'nervous system' to feel pain. If they don't respond to intrusion, why withdraw from being touched. Why make a pearl? We may not fully understand it but something is going on there.
barbie |