So are the scientists, at least that is the impression the article gives. Animals fail the self-awareness tests in the lab but display it in the wild, "semi-self-awareness". When it comes from beings that we can't directly communicate with, or have a philosophical discussion, I'm not surprised that the determination of self awareness is proving difficult.
And while while learned responses do not equate to self-aware, I would contend that the ability to learn would be a strong indicator of the ability to be (or become) self aware.
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"The problem with any ideology is that it gives the answer before you look at the evidence."
—Bill Clinton
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance--it is the illusion of knowledge."
—Daniel J. Boorstin, historian, former Librarian of Congress
"But the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity"
—WKRP in Cincinatti
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