Natural Selection Seems Insufficient

[The Grand Nudger]

Consider a zygote in a woman's womb. At what moment in its development is it properly described a sentient? This seems to be a hotly debated issue in abortion controversies.

Sure, because abortion nuts would argue about anything other than why they want to do what they want to do, but the science on this is crystal clear and thoroughly settled. Before 24 weeks a fetus lacks the brain architecture required. Between 24 and 26 weeks a whole slew of connections are made between their still developing brain and sensory apparatus. By 35 weeks you’ll observe behaviors indicative of a conscious experience like our own. It then takes the better part of 40 years to become fully self aware.

[Nay_Sayer]

Consider a zygote in a woman's womb. At what moment in its development is it properly described a sentient? This seems to be a hotly debated issue in abortion controversies.

Sure, because abortion nuts would argue about anything other than why they want to do what they want to do, but the science on this is crystal clear and thoroughly settled.  Before 24 weeks a fetus lacks the brain architecture required.  Between 24 and 26 weeks a whole slew of connections are made between their still developing brain and sensory apparatus.  By 35 weeks you’ll observe behaviors indicative of a conscious experience like our own.  It then takes the better part of 40 years to become fully self aware.  

Some are 80 and are barely more than a single braincell rattling around in a skull cavity. They, of course, are put in positions of power.

[Jal]

Personal guide? Are we talking about salvation? Or sanctification?
Also I was referring mostly to theologians, not to regular pew members.

No need to backtrack; you were right, inward witness is a core part of evangelical Christianity.  It's an atrocious epistemological thing, but whatever.  Not my shit show.

If you care to do so, look up the Stoic's concept of phantasia katalepsis.  Very similar in some ways.  

An interesting tidbit of history, it was actually the Muslims who first thought of occasionalist doctrines that God moves everything.

I am not an occasionalist, and I don't believe that God moves everything. Human themselves are self-moving in my view, in fact most all living creatures self-locomote.

God simply enacts the forces of nature (gravity, magnetism, electricity, etc).

[Jal]

Most are neglibly sentient.

Kinda like you?

When I use that term, some people don't get my meaning. So I actually enjoyed your response here. Made for a good chuckle and, above all, it proves you understood my terminology.

Ok I'll finally admit it. I am negligibly sentient. 

Nonetheless, I'm pretty sure the scholars aren't always correct, even when in consensus, specifically this applies to Bible scholars.

[Deesse23]

That guy cant be real. Nobody is legitimately that dumb. I see only one plausible scenario: Homeschooling. He has not answered the question about having been homeschooled, like he didnt directly answer my question about his scientific education. I dont know homeschooled people since homeschooling is not legal in my country, but i have been told that real dumb people can be the result of real dumb (and religious) parents educating them in social isolation.

Every other scenario seems....inconceivable to me (pun intended).

[Angrboda]

No need to backtrack; you were right, inward witness is a core part of evangelical Christianity.  It's an atrocious epistemological thing, but whatever.  Not my shit show.

If you care to do so, look up the Stoic's concept of phantasia katalepsis.  Very similar in some ways.  

An interesting tidbit of history, it was actually the Muslims who first thought of occasionalist doctrines that God moves everything.

I am not an occasionalist, and I don't believe that God moves everything. Human themselves are self-moving in my view, in fact most all living creatures self-locomote.

God simply enacts the forces of nature (gravity, magnetism, electricity, etc).

According to the view you have laid out, the self has no power to locomote. At bottom, we are independent particles suspended in a vacuum. It is only through these forces that God mediates that we locomote. It doesn't sound like you understand your own framework. That or you believe something counter-factual, that we are held together by something different from and apart from God. We aren't.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

That guy cant be real. Nobody is legitimately that dumb. I see only one plausible scenario: Homeschooling. He has not answered the question about having been homeschooled, like he didnt directly answer my question about his scientific education. I dont know homeschooled people since homeschooling is not legal in my country, but i have been told that real dumb people can be the result of real dumb (and religious) parents educating them in social isolation.

Every other scenario seems....inconceivable to me (pun intended).

To be fair, he did say he’s ’not well versed in science.’ Which, I reckon, is the reason for his over-arching, mind-wobbling, world class reliance on incredulity.

Boru

[Angrboda]

That guy cant be real. Nobody is legitimately that dumb. I see only one plausible scenario: Homeschooling. He has not answered the question about having been homeschooled, like he didnt directly answer my question about his scientific education. I dont know homeschooled people since homeschooling is not legal in my country, but i have been told that real dumb people can be the result of real dumb (and religious) parents educating them in social isolation.

Every other scenario seems....inconceivable to me (pun intended).

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Those weren’t my questions.

Boru

Oh? Did you want me to focus on your genitalia question? No, I don't believe the Father and the Son have opted to endue themselves with human-like genitalia.

Therefore, the Father and Son are not ‘shaped like a man’ are they?

Boru

[Deesse23]

That guy cant be real. Nobody is legitimately that dumb. I see only one plausible scenario: Homeschooling. He has not answered the question about having been homeschooled, like he didnt directly answer my question about his scientific education. I dont know homeschooled people since homeschooling is not legal in my country, but i have been told that real dumb people can be the result of real dumb (and religious) parents educating them in social isolation.

Every other scenario seems....inconceivable to me (pun intended).

To be fair, he did say he’s ’not well versed in science.’ Which, I reckon, is the reason for his over-arching, mind-wobbling, world class reliance on incredulity.

Boru

In..credible, isnt it?