Sat Feb 19, 2005 2:56 pm
Merriam Webster defines a soul as: "The immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life"
The part of this definition that strikes me is the word 'individual.' That is what makes us human. We are able to justify treating other animals 'like animals' because they seem to, for the most part, have less individuality and intelligence than we do. The question, 'do replicants have souls' suggests that we are asking whether or not these certain robots should be treated like humans, and respected as we respect other humans. So, in terms of intelligence, and therefore complexity of a being, they are on the same level as we are. The only difference seems to be that they were manufactured. They even have similar bodily makeups as we do.
But then, I must return to the question. Do replicants have souls? By the Webster definition, very definitely. But personally, I believe the idea of a soul is just there to allow us to justify doing whatever it is we please, because us humans are such a special and pretty little bunch...
The part of this definition that strikes me is the word 'individual.' That is what makes us human. We are able to justify treating other animals 'like animals' because they seem to, for the most part, have less individuality and intelligence than we do. The question, 'do replicants have souls' suggests that we are asking whether or not these certain robots should be treated like humans, and respected as we respect other humans. So, in terms of intelligence, and therefore complexity of a being, they are on the same level as we are. The only difference seems to be that they were manufactured. They even have similar bodily makeups as we do.
But then, I must return to the question. Do replicants have souls? By the Webster definition, very definitely. But personally, I believe the idea of a soul is just there to allow us to justify doing whatever it is we please, because us humans are such a special and pretty little bunch...