I'm sorry, but I thought this discussion was purely in the context of Tolkien's Mythology.
Here is a quote from Morgoth's Ring that describes one of Tolkien's later views on Orcs. From section VIII of Myths Transformed
In summary: I think it must be assumed that 'talking' is not necessarily the sign of the possession of a 'rational soul' or fea. The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (to mock Men and Elves) deliberatley perverted/converted into a more close resemblance to Men.
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I don't believe that it is something definitely knowable or absolute, about whether or not evil is inherent in the soul, body, or at all. It is a matter of personal opinion.
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Personal opinion has nothing to do with it. Evil is where it is. We can be incorrect about where evil comes from, but it does not change based on what we believe.
[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: Nils ]