I recall Clever Hans, an equine mathematician. Took quite a while to figure out just what he was doing. I'd advise extreme caution and very careful experimental protocol with the great ape communication tests.
Signing a message to one of them alone, then later watching it sign the message to another test subject, who then demonstrates having received the knowledge would be convincing, assuming everything was set up properly.
Have any experiments like that been done ?
For instance:
sign to Koko (or whichever) that Kanzi has a treat available under the rock that is next to the ball. Kanzi (or whichever) can then be allowed to see Koko thru glass, but not hear. Cameras can watch Koko. If she signs " look under rock ball there, numbnuts" and that happens, you'd have something pretty impressive.
(I'm more impressed with them communicating amongst themselves via a learned human technique like signing, than I am with them communicating with humans)
Signing a message to one of them alone, then later watching it sign the message to another test subject, who then demonstrates having received the knowledge would be convincing, assuming everything was set up properly.
Have any experiments like that been done ?
For instance:
sign to Koko (or whichever) that Kanzi has a treat available under the rock that is next to the ball. Kanzi (or whichever) can then be allowed to see Koko thru glass, but not hear. Cameras can watch Koko. If she signs " look under rock ball there, numbnuts" and that happens, you'd have something pretty impressive.
(I'm more impressed with them communicating amongst themselves via a learned human technique like signing, than I am with them communicating with humans)
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
