Intelligence (Origins)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Sunday, March 03, 2013, 07:02 (4070 days ago) @ dhw

DHW: I've summarized this in my latest post to David: "that evolution is driven by an unselfconscious but inventive form of "intelligence" within living cells, and that life itself may have come about through a similar "intelligence" inherent in the chemicals that combined to create it." .. You will note that "reason" (highlighted) is included in my list, but self-awareness is what I'd like to exclude from the definition, because I'm proposing an alternative origin for life and evolution to the standard ones..
> ->DHW:Our fellow animals display varying degrees of intelligence, but I think most of us would agree that their self-awareness levels are considerably below our own." On this thread, I'm trying to differentiate between lesser intelligence and the highest form we know, which I've linked to self-awareness. ... But I do believe that at some time cells determined the need for a mechanism..
> -And to me, again, this is where it breaks down. When you say 'determine the need' that is implying them making a reasoned judgement based on what could only be called an imaginative situation. They would either a)have to be capable of abstract logic and creativity which would make them much more advanced than your description, or b) have to be pre-programmed with a set of criteria and an order of operations. - 
> TONY: We take for granted our instincts and those of animals. How did those programs originate?
> 
>DHW: "Originate" is the crucial word. Instinct sets in once the new organ or activity has established itself. -That can't work, because without instinct, their can be no drive for life. Reproductive instincts, survival instincts, etc would all have to exist at the cellular level in your framework. So, in a organism whose life can measured in terms of minutes or days, where is the time needed to develop a pattern of behavior solidly enough to become an instinct. -> 
 
> DHW: I'm suggesting that "intelligence" of varying levels is present in all living things, and may well be present in inorganic matter too. -Agreed-
For the rest, see above.-One last note. As an experiment, try to come up with something completely new. ANYTHING completely new, that has never been created before. Now, as a second experiment, try doing the same thing WITHOUT using ANY other information that you have ever known. -If you succeed with either one of those, let me know. At that point, your hypothesis will have entered the realm of possible.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.