Evolution of Intelligence (Origins)

by dhw, Tuesday, April 02, 2013, 20:27 (4251 days ago) @ BBella

BBELLA: Creation might also be considered like an orchestra in another way: Differing elements (instruments) became aware and began to cooperate in an intelligent harmony with each other, that over time, combined in ever greater complexity creating a vibrational scale that eventually became the music of life.
 
Some could call this whole action God or some might call it evolution, panpsychism, etc. Whether this happening was one harmonious being that created the harmony of all that is, or one harmonious orchestra that created the harmony of all that is, still, all that is is ONE harmonious creation, whatever you choose to call it.-Not for the first time, BBella, it seems to me you've got to the essence of our discussions. When different people use the word "God", they often mean totally different things, and are even prepared to ostracize, assassinate, wage war on those who disagree with their version. One form of the 'panpsychist' hypothesis which David objects to so strongly is panexistentialism, which endows all entities with some form of "phenomenal consciousness", though without cognition. This was espoused by Alfred North Whitehead, of "process theology" fame (remember Frank, on this forum?). Whitehead was a theist, who regarded God as the source of the universe, but saw him as constantly growing and changing. Perhaps if Stephen L. Talbott had not used the word logos, but had called the mysterious inner intelligence God, his rather different argument might have been taken more seriously.
 
The question BBella has raised is really what we understand by God. David tries hard not to give his God any human attributes, which is a far cry from Tony's version. For me, a god without human attributes might just as well be a great blob of mindless energy, since his existence will be irrelevant to mine, and mine to him. Philosophically, the question of whether the universe and life were deliberately designed, came about by chance, or evolved step by step through "intelligent energy" is endlessly fascinating (which is why we go on discussing it), but is only of direct relevance to those who believe they are being watched and loved, or watched and judged. Solving the mystery is, I think, only urgent for the latter category. The rest of us don't need to leap to premature conclusions, and meanwhile we should simply enjoy (and help others to enjoy) the overwhelming richness of life while it's still available to us.