Panpsychism (Evolution)

by David Turell , Thursday, December 13, 2012, 23:59 (4361 days ago) @ hyjyljyj

dhw: I'm surprised you can't conceive of intelligence without self-analysis, as this seems to be the rule rather than the exception with most of our fellow animals. Think of the feats of engineering by spiders, ants, bees, birds, beavers ... all astonishing examples of intelligent design ... the intelligent actions of dogs, crows, dolphins, the list of Nature's Wonders...Are you now saying that all these creatures are self-aware? -No this is a mistaken idea, for all you are describing is instinct, with the animals acting as automatons. It is the creation of the automatic responses that are the wonders.-
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> hy:This has the rudiments of making sense to me, although I still have this question about cellular metabolism being a de facto indication of intelligence/consciousness belonging to the cell. It could in fact be just that, after all; on the other hand, if something HAS TO function in a certain way due to its form--lesson 1, day 1 of Physiology 101--then need it be intelligent at all? Is it not on auto-pilot? - Auto-pilot!! Of course it is all automatic, just as is the autonomic nervous system, of which we are barely aware, unless we think aobut it.