How do animals have thoughts?

[growingvegetables]

Does it? How do you know it isn't the world that 'communicates' facts about Maths?

At this point, I shall go and fry my brain cells for breakfast.

 

[MacB]

Does it? How do you know it isn't the world that 'communicates' facts about Maths?

the maths underpins everything but beneath that it's all turtles

 

[rich p]

and you're entitled to your opinion even when you're as wrong as any Hobbit has ever been.

It all depends on how flagrant you are with your definition of language and I suspect there are some who are willing to stretch it to breaking point.
It doesn't mean you're clever though, Mac, just contrary

 

[MacB]

It all depends on how flagrant you are with your definition of language and I suspect there are some who are willing to stretch it to breaking point.
It doesn't mean you're clever though, Mac, just contrary

Freely admit I'm clueless but I do know we communicate with computers via maths

 

[Accy cyclist]

I communicate with my dog by making sounds that resemble words. For example if i wanted to say "five minutes and i'll take you for a walk", i'll make a nasal humming tone,similar to the tones and pitches of the actual words. There's no point in saying the actual words as it's a waste of effort. They say that the dog goes off the tone and pitch of the command,rather than the words. I used to communicate with my mother in such a way,when i was a child,much to her annoyance. I got the idea of these.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok6CoIwcJ-E

 

[rich p]

Freely admit I'm clueless

Blimey that puts you one step ahead of me.

Maths is just the mechanism for computers to communicate though, not a language, any more than the larynx is a language.
I'm off to work now anyway and I don't really give a toss. I'm far too shallow.

 

[smutchin]

It's the ability to form abstract expressions that makes maths a language.

However, most of my understanding of this subject is at the level of a first year philosophy undergraduate who took a module on the philosophy of language about 25 years ago. So I probably have even less of a clue than @MacB

 

[smutchin]

I communicate with my dog by making sounds that resemble words. For example if i wanted to say "five minutes and i'll take you for a walk", i'll make a nasal humming tone,similar to the tones and pitches of the actual words. There's no point in saying the actual words as it's a waste of effort. They say that the dog goes off the tone and pitch of the command,rather than the words.

Dogs can learn to associate specific words or sounds with specific commands though. Which is not the same as understanding the meaning of the words, of course.

Shepherds use whistles because they make the sounds more consistently than voices, and can travel further, so anyone who knows the right whistles can command any trained sheepdog.

 

[Profpointy]

It's the ability to form abstract expressions that makes maths a language.

However, most of my understanding of this subject is at the level of a first year philosophy undergraduate who took a module on the philosophy of language about 25 years ago. So I probably have even less of a clue than @MacB

Whilst there is (clearly) "the language of maths" isn't that just a way of describing "maths proper"; the later being some kind of "Platonic truth" if that's the term? Penrose's wonderful if challenging book "Road to Reality" covers some of this kind of thing

 

[Accy cyclist]

Dogs can learn to associate specific words or sounds with specific commands though. Which is not the same as understanding the meaning of the words, of course.

Shepherds use whistles because they make the sounds more consistently than voices, and can travel further, so anyone who knows the right whistles can command any trained sheepdog.

I've always wondered what "Cum bye" means?

 

[smutchin]

Whilst there is (clearly) "the language of maths" isn't that just a way of describing "maths proper"; the later being some kind of "Platonic truth" if that's the term?

I'm not sure what your point is. Description is the fundamental purpose of any language; but language isn't equivalent with the thing it describes.

 

[smutchin]

I've always wondered what "Cum bye" means?

You'd make a rubbish sheepdog.

 

[Profpointy]

I'm not sure what your point is. Description is the fundamental purpose of any language; but language isn't equivalent with the thing it describes.

That's exaclty the point I was attempting to make. Your explanation is better than mine

 

[gavroche]

Dogs also understand languages. When I go to France, if I give an order to my brother's dog in English, he remains blank. Say it in French and he understands. Clever , aren't they?

 

[Drago]

My dog can say the word "sausages".