by Chuck Larlham
Member since:
January 19, 2009

Dolphins are "non-human persons?"

January 10, 2010 02:56 PM UTC
views: 0 | 9 people recommend this | comments: 111

In THIS ARTICLE, Marine biologists argue that "Dolphins are intelligent enough to warrant rights as "non-human persons," according to a team of marine biologists. This view is based on wide-ranging analysis of dolphin behavior, social interaction, and anatomy. "

This claim has been around for at least 40 years, mostly in science fiction stories and novels.  So this article reads an awful lot like a conclusion in search of support... but the reason the argument hasn't gone away entirely is that there IS some significant support for it.

Read and see for yourself.

Comments: 111

Susan G. Jan 10, 2010, 3:17pm UTC
Dolphins are, at least, more personable than many humans.
Charles T. Jan 10, 2010, 5:15pm UTC
as are most dogs, some cats and horses too! LOL
Ian, the social being Jan 10, 2010, 11:42pm UTC
I was going to say: they may be "non-human persons", but I've certainly met some "non-person humans".
Wasn't there a series of studies on the intelligence of dogs? As I remember most dogs scored the same as a three year old child and the smartest ones were as smart as a 5 year old child. So if dolphins rate as non-human persons, then so should dogs, the great apes, and most definately elephants. I would even suggest elephants are smarter than dolphins or dogs.
Thomas Washington Jan 18, 2010, 2:11am UTC
i concur.
especially elephants.
Col. George W. Jan 10, 2010, 3:19pm UTC
Most marine mamals communicate and are fairly intelligent. Do we make them all non humans with rights? How about my dog, she is smart and understands what I tell her.
Jim Marshall Jan 10, 2010, 4:41pm UTC
Yes, marine mammals and at least my Jack Russell who is smarter than many humans I know.
Jim Marshall Jan 10, 2010, 4:42pm UTC
In recent info, maybe green parrots also.
Charles T. Jan 10, 2010, 5:16pm UTC
Jim, isn't that gray parrots? The ones who can put sentences together and such?
Jim Marshall Jan 11, 2010, 5:28pm UTC
My senior moment. You are correct Charles.
Thomas Washington Jan 18, 2010, 2:12am UTC
yep: them African Greys are dang creepy.
add em to the list.
...because a life-form is required to possess an intelligence that is similar to that of humans before humanity is willing to "award" the species "personhood."
And the history books say the first immigrants learned stuff from the Indians. Bull-oney.
... *grumbles and wanders off* ...
Sorry, Lea. The short version; all living things are people. We're just all different kinds. Personhood is not something to be handed out by our arrogant species, especially not based on some human-defined criteria based on how we perceive intelligence.
Heidi S. Jan 11, 2010, 11:44am UTC
Well said, Hannah!
Thomas Washington Jan 18, 2010, 2:13am UTC
i third!
Johnny G. Jan 10, 2010, 3:28pm UTC
An interesting article! Our creator has provided such a variety of creatures on this earth fo us to enjoy. Unfortunately humans fail to appreciate their value.
Johnny G. Jan 10, 2010, 3:33pm UTC
That's true, but then, our creator did give specific instructions as to which creatures humans were permitted to eat and which not to eat.
Chuck Larlham Jan 10, 2010, 3:58pm UTC
Need... ham... sandwich...
Johnny G. Jan 10, 2010, 4:06pm UTC
LOL!
Thomas Washington Jan 18, 2010, 2:15am UTC
i sec that nom.
Thomas Washington Jan 18, 2010, 2:16am UTC
if they are...they're DEFINITELY human.
and we should all go to the crows.
susan j. Jan 10, 2010, 3:37pm UTC
I hear that they are very intelligent and they have helped shark attack victims. They would fight the sharks and help carry the victim to shore. I saw it on Discovery Channel!
Heather E. Jan 10, 2010, 3:40pm UTC
We need to value the beings that share the earth with us.
Gary (The Eclectic) Timothy Jan 10, 2010, 4:08pm UTC
Science continues to try to refine just what "intelligence" means and has been trying ever since there was science. It seems that intelligence is not as easy to define as we once thought!
Gary (The Eclectic) Timothy Jan 11, 2010, 6:07pm UTC
Right Lea! Even within humans there are so many different kinds/types of intelligence.
Wilhelmine E. Jan 10, 2010, 4:13pm UTC
Fascinating article. I'll bet lots of "intelligent" homosapients haven't learned to tail walk. (or have they?)
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Jan 10, 2010, 4:39pm UTC
Great topic, if only more humans could learn to respect their fellow creatures just a wee smidge more......
Franklin Newman Jan 10, 2010, 5:01pm UTC
Dolphins and cats are better than people.
Charles T. Jan 10, 2010, 5:17pm UTC
Its an interesting argument and as you note one that has been around for some time.
Col. George W. Jan 10, 2010, 5:17pm UTC
I've read about some guy in Congress who wants to give animals the same constitutional rights as people.

Back in the old days before the "white eyes" made them savages the Indian hunter would thank the spirit of their kill for sacrificing their life so he and his could live. Good idea. They respected all living things. Then the white man came along.
Steve B. Jan 11, 2010, 8:03am UTC
George. I'm encouraged - we agree on something. Indigenous nations, like the Choctaw, Cherokee, Apache and Hopi, considered animals "persons" - just not "human" persons. The didn't kill for sport - just for survival. And "animal persons" had spiritual form too, which figured significantly in their mythology, with intricate roles in human spiritual development.
Heidi S. Jan 11, 2010, 11:47am UTC
Often I wish I had been born then...*sigh*
Col. George W. Jan 11, 2010, 1:17pm UTC
I could go into a long discussion about the "religion" of the tribes. Every tribe had some things in common with every other tribe. One of those things was their respect for the rest of living creatures. They were much closer to nature than any people civilized person who have ever livied.
May WonkenTonka be good to you Steve.
Col. George W. Jan 11, 2010, 4:57pm UTC
However it's spelled Lea, It's Lakota for The Great Spirit.
Steve B. Jan 11, 2010, 11:24pm UTC
Thanks, George. If you write an article on native religions, let me know. I don't necessarily subscribe to native religions, but if you ask me about the Spirit that moves in, among and around all living beings, then I do know what you're talking about. I linked Chief Seattle's "Letter to the President" below. Have you ever read it?
Col. George W. Jan 11, 2010, 11:58pm UTC
Chief Seattle's name was Selth or Sealth.
Col. George W. Jan 12, 2010, 12:02am UTC
The Great Spirit or the Everywhere Spirit seems to me to be a better idea of God than the God in the Bible. The Bible gives God a manculine immage. A Spirit has no sex.
Kasey Klein Jan 10, 2010, 5:29pm UTC
The tuna can read: they called him Flipper ~
George Shaw Jan 10, 2010, 5:41pm UTC
In "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" Douglas Adams says that when the dolphins leave the earth before it is destroyed to make a new trans galaxy super highway, they said, "Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish."
Dorothy H. Jan 10, 2010, 7:55pm UTC
My favorite book.
George Shaw Jan 10, 2010, 9:16pm UTC
My favorite book was the complete Douglas Adams, but I had a grand nephew was visiting from Alaska, and I lost possession of it. LOL
George Shaw Jan 14, 2010, 12:47am UTC
Good, the towel is a necessity. LOL
George Shaw Jan 14, 2010, 12:48am UTC
Only we, on the inside, recognize a good joke. ha ha
Casey M. Jan 10, 2010, 5:45pm UTC
Animals are extremely intelligent and I'm sure many could solve problems, and survive better than I could. Rights for animals? I don't know. I know would such try to treat all creation respectfully.
Georgiana S. Jan 10, 2010, 5:50pm UTC
It is said, Dolphins are/were a fully developed, highly intelligent and inventive species of humans who disappeared, into the oceans, and adapted for life in the sea after their homeland was destroyed. the lost continents, such as Mu and Atlantis apparently reached an evolutionary understanding far superiour than that which we know today, technology and understanding abounded. The age was a pinnacle of the age of Aquarius, where human understanding reached Nirvana here on earth.
Georgiana S. Jan 11, 2010, 11:28pm UTC
I shall be 100!
Dennis Gilman Jan 10, 2010, 5:58pm UTC
Interesting article. Like you Chuck, to me it still looks like an idea searching for support. The support for it just might get stronger.

Intelligence is very difficult to define.
elizabeth evans Jan 10, 2010, 7:42pm UTC
Great article, Chuck.

Thanks for posting to Triple Name Club.
Steve B. Jan 11, 2010, 8:07am UTC
Of course, dolphins are "persons". So are all other living creatures. Try Chief Seattle's Letter to the President. All things are sacred....
Heidi S. Jan 11, 2010, 11:50am UTC
Could such creatures perhaps have a closer bond with God? A different type of intelligence we cannot understand?
Heidi S. Jan 11, 2010, 4:42pm UTC
I like that.
Steve B. Jan 11, 2010, 11:32pm UTC
"Mitakuye oyasin"

Thanks. I had never heard of that prayer. Indeed, we are.....
Steve B. Jan 11, 2010, 11:46pm UTC
The Rights of the Land demonstrates "Mitakuye oyasin".
Melissa J Jan 17, 2010, 1:59pm UTC
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least 100 views, and as such has been removed from ViewMasters! Congratulations!
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jan 18, 2010, 8:03pm UTC
Thanks so much for sharing with my group.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.