Curious Question..Worms and Consciousness

I guess the consciousness stays one but controls 2 worm.

It's not true that both ends will live. If you cut a worm in two (don't do it because it's cruel) 1 half will die and the other half has a change of survival if the cut is done near the end.

OP reminded me of this:

[link to newswatch.nationalgeographic.com]

well IMO,
Consciousness is not an individualized thing, like an ego, that belongs to a certain hunk of flesh or living organism.
Consciousness is omnipotent, like an ocean and we are immersed in it like a fish in the ocean.

The ability to be aware of this consciousness and to self reflect on it depends entirely on the complexity and skills of the organism.. Does it have language, does it have written language, does it have concepts of time, etc etc.

I think the consciousness would split in half, but always remember that happened. If the worm grew a new tail on each piece, and the two worms ran into each other down in the ground one day, they might not recognise each other, but the consciousnesses would. And would know they were once one.

Gee, that sounds like twin flame worms.

Um, worms, insects, and all animals, are all not self-aware...only humans can claim that ability.

no but it might catch 2 fish , instead of one.

What a fabulous question - I've never thought of that. I'm pretty sure you're right that both halves of an earthworm can survive, if the cut is precisely through the 'saddle'. If not, then it's certainly true that certain starfish can be divided into two (or up to 5) pieces, with each piece regrowing the missing parts.

I'll assume that they're conscious in the first place. I agree with the poster above - consciousness is a universal, although self-consciousness requires a sufficiently complex nervous system to be able to recognise its own boundaries. For example, a pebble may have consciousness, but is not aware of itself as a discrete entity. Assuming that the worm has self-awareness, I'll also go for that awareness being split into two independent consciousnesses. As for whether each half remembers its previous existence, that's down to the wiring again: does each half contain part of a neural centre in which the memories are housed (assuming that they have what we call memories in the first place)? I'd guess not. In which case, only one is likely to remember, and even that is probably going to be very confused.

Self awareness would mean a sense of responsibility toward the environment, and also other humans.

Humans do not have that, and therefore are not self aware.

Unless you're remembering past lives as each of them. that's a really daft thing to say. You might believe it, but there's no direct evidence either way. Plenty of them behave as if they are self-aware, though, so from an ethical point of view we have to assume that they are.

No, it has nothing to do with your worship of nature...

Who said worship?

I said a sense of responsibility.

Humans are not self aware.

Least not anymore.

If they ever were.

Plenty of animals have self awareness. The ones that don't instead have awareness of being one with the whole of nature.

A worm might not think great thoughts, but it knows how to go through its routine and contribute to the health of the planet, and itself.

A bee or ant can work in unison with its tribe, with out the verbal communication a human needs. Does that mean they don't communicate, or that we don't hear it? Or they don't need it?

Animals work in with the laws of nature.

We appear smarter, but if you look at the big picture, we are way dumber.

No doubt.

dolphins use names: [link to www.wired.com]

2 headed bug worm remembers everything after cutting and regrowning its head:
[link to www.rozhlas.cz] (you must translate this into your language)

you assume wea re symbiotic in nature
2 halves with different ways of handling information
like in mirror halves .. 1 bad .. the other good :D try

Points towards one consciousness

You are confusing instinct with consciousness...

Makes me wonder, if you cut a knee-grow in half will you get two out of one.

The only thing a negro is aware of his his dick, stomach, and anything that makes him high or feel good.

You are confusing me with being confused.

Acts of instinct are usually shorts bursts of acting without thinking.

Living a lifetime, even if that only be for a day or two, I think you would be conscious of more than just instinctively flapping your wings to fly.

I think you just described most males, including yourself, regardless of their race or colour.

Always a boys favourite toy, I am told. And it was free.

that is pretty stupid lol

Nope, the worker ant doesn't get up in the morning and plan out his day...nor does any other animal...when they are hungry they look for food, when sleepy they sleep...they are not self-aware, although it my look convincing...animals do not plan their future nor contemplate past decisions, because they are not capable of complex thought like humans are.

Just because you don't understand a concept, doesn't make it stupid...you just proved your inability to comprehend...

How do you know what an ant thinks about during the course of its day? Come on. Are you an animal psychic? I don't think you would be the type, so will assume not.

How do you know a dragonfly is not laughing at us as it swoops around us? Laughing that we look so silly walking on those stump things on the ground. How do you know it is not doing complicated mathematical calculations out loud as it buzzes around the water lillies?

Scientists have been studying them for a very long time...we have many ways to measure brain activity, and simply watching their behaviors proves they rely on instincts.

You know I would be willing to guess a simple earthworm does not have a level of conscious as humans do. I argue that we and or anything can exist if we are conscious or aware of it or not.

Have you seen the ape who can do a complicated puzzle in far less time than a human? Over and over again.

I don't think you want to believe that animals are equal to, or in some cases, even smarter than us. But that's your own business, not mine.

Animals do not develop behavioural disorders when left in the wild. It is only when they mix with us, that they become confused about who and what they are.

The ones we keep as pets, are the ones that do like to interact with us. Some however, don't like us trying to tame and restrict them, and resent it. They, like ants, just like to be left to go about their business unhindered.

What about dogs being able to detect cancer, by smell before doctors? That would make a dog smarter than modern medicine would it not?

I saw once where they proved a lady's dog would go to wait at the window the moment she thought about knocking off work and going home. Not when he heard the car coming down the street, as previously assumed.

Worms...shworms......human transplant recipients get new abilities or experiences. ....or disorders. ........the question you afraid to ask WHAT IS LEFT OF YOU WHEN ALL PARTS OF YOUR BODY BROKEN DOWN IN TO BASIC ELEMENTS......carbon will restructure and re build its self ass long as there need and porpose for it........but can the metaphysical energy of your mind.....live on ....when carbon base becomes irrelevant?

our proudness closed many doors