"Rupert" > wrote

>> >>> Yes, there is, based on observation of primates like Koko the gorilla
>> >>> who have been taught sign language,
>>
>> >> Does not demonstrate that anything "matters to her."
>>
>> > Of course things matter to Koko,
>>
>> They don't. She has no awareness that there is a world, that she will
>> some day no longer be in it.
>>
>
> She does understand the concept of death,

On what do you base this?

> and she is aware of various
> aspects of the world just as you and I are

No, not like that, human awareness is not like non-human awareness. <I was
going to elaborate but I shouldn't have to>

> and just as your son was
> when he was two years old.

His son possessed the capability to become a PhD in mathematics or a great
philosopher or musician, the ape is permanently two years old.

> She has similar linguistic and cognitive
> abilities to your son at the age of two. It is extremely obvious that
> things matter to her, and that she is aware of the world. She also has
> some understanding of the concept of death, although she becomes
> fidgety and uncomfortable when asked to discuss her own death. It is
> not clear to what extent she is aware of her own mortality.

All unsupported supposition.