Mental capacities distribute across life along a differentiated web, not a rank

Evidence

Thus we can distinguish, without ordering as a hierarchy, items within a complex differentiated field in which mind is expressed in a family of related intentional concepts. This is applicable at varying levels and in varying ways to the natural world generally, as well as to humans. In this field we might see (but with a high degree of caution against the arrogance of presuming to totally encompass the other) some complex, highly intensional psychological activities, such as second order desires (for example, desiring to be a different kind of person), as perhaps confined to certain humans. To certain kinds of animals including humans we can clearly ascribe awareness, choice, decision, emotion, imagination and consciousness—for example, missing a companion, learning a new technique, choosing the wrong way, or noticing the gate; and perhaps to a wider class again sentience, emotion, volition and sensation, feeling pain and pleasure, as well as certain sensory and intentional capacities humans do not possess. To all living creatures we may clearly ascribe a teleology or overall life-goal, for the sake of which its parts are organised, as well as many other teleological concepts. — Val Plumwood, Feminism and the Mastery of Nature, 502

Categorization

• XREF: Contrasts with the earlier ch9 note that the master treats the dominated as homogeneous class members — intentionality here provides the heterogeneity that dualism’s homogenisation denies. — connects to: capacities for living with difference arise through situated relations, not abstract categories — Farhan Samanani, Conviviality and its others: for a…, 72; Expertise in one domain does not prevent stereotyped thinking in others — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1159; Intelligence develops from environment and experience rather than genetic inheritance (+1 more)
• DEFINE: Lays out exactly which intentional capacities go to which beings — usable taxonomy for eco-justice pedagogy on moral standing.

Broader Connections

• capacities for living with difference arise through situated relations, not abstract categories #expands (0.85) — Farhan Samanani, Conviviality and its others, 72
• Expertise in one domain does not prevent stereotyped thinking in others #exemplifies (0.80) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1159
• Human evolution selected for learnability and behavioral malleability, not fixedness #expands (0.75)
• Intelligence develops from environment and experience rather than genetic inheritance #expands (0.72)