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Would an "advanced" species feel empathy for mankind?

It's interesting to assess human empathy for other species based on perceived levels of their intelligence and self-awareness.

Most thinking people have grappled with what level of species intelligence they are willing to kill or maim without remorse. Most of us seem to draw the line somewhere between say, a chicken and a cat or dog (thank goodness). Most humans will sense some level of ethical dilemma here, but most (like me) will also hypocritically chow down on a juicy hamburger.

A person who feels bad about stomping a scorpion in their bedroom would be a rarity indeed and isn't rooming with me!

I don't like this kind of slippery slope. But nature presents it and our inability to comprehend its meaning is a deficiency on our part.

<blockquote data-quote="boomerang" data-source="post: 129722" data-attributes="member: 3872">Would an &quot;advanced&quot; species feel empathy for mankind?&nbsp;It&#039;s interesting to assess human empathy for other species based on perceived levels of their intelligence and self-awareness. &nbsp;Most thinking people have grappled with what level of species intelligence they are willing to kill or maim without remorse.&nbsp; Most of us seem to draw the line somewhere between say,&nbsp; a chicken and a cat or dog (thank goodness).&nbsp; Most humans will sense some level of ethical dilemma here, but most (like me) will also hypocritically chow down on a juicy hamburger. &nbsp;A person who feels bad about stomping a scorpion in their bedroom would be a rarity indeed and isn&#039;t rooming with me!&nbsp;I don&#039;t like this kind of slippery slope.&nbsp; But nature presents it and our inability&nbsp; to comprehend its meaning is a deficiency on our part.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="boomerang, post: 129722, member: 3872"] Would an "advanced" species feel empathy for mankind? It's interesting to assess human empathy for other species based on perceived levels of their intelligence and self-awareness. Most thinking people have grappled with what level of species intelligence they are willing to kill or maim without remorse. Most of us seem to draw the line somewhere between say, a chicken and a cat or dog (thank goodness). Most humans will sense some level of ethical dilemma here, but most (like me) will also hypocritically chow down on a juicy hamburger. A person who feels bad about stomping a scorpion in their bedroom would be a rarity indeed and isn't rooming with me! I don't like this kind of slippery slope. But nature presents it and our inability to comprehend its meaning is a deficiency on our part. [/QUOTE]

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