Cambrian Explosion: afterthought (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, October 03, 2013, 12:20 (4048 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: My definition of intelligence is not just the use of information but being able to analyze concepts presented by that information, formuate new theories from those concepts. In other words what we humans do with our brains and our consciousness. Cells don't do this.-dhw: From the very beginning, I have emphasized that my concept of intelligence does not involve self-awareness.It's now clear that the additional attributes you insist on before you acknowledge intelligence are "what we humans do with our brains and consciousness" that cells, cell communities, insects, birds and animals can't do. In other words, your starting point is that only humans are intelligent. You did give crows and orang-utans a glimmer of a concession, but so far as we know even they don't analyse concepts or formulate theories or write novels and symphonies or ask questions about the universe.-DAVID: Of course whole multicellular organisms, as you describe, have some ability at decision-making. but you are confusing the issue. I've been arguing about single cells or one-celled organisms. They are automatons.-There is now multiple confusion. Firstly, I have always bracketed cells and cell communities together. I don't see how communities can form without communication and cooperation between individual cells. I suggested that the first innovation came when cells merged. So are you now saying that the single cell has no intelligence, but when two cells come together they become intelligent? No, because you have only mentioned decision-making (though presumably when individual cells merge, it isn't as a result of a decision!), and according to you decision-making is not enough to justify using the word intelligent. Organisms must be able to analyse concepts, formulate theories, and do all the things that humans do with their brains and consciousness. -dhw: Since according to your definition, only humans are intelligent, we must conclude that your God has preprogrammed every other living organism to do whatever it does. Come to think of it, that may well include humans.... After all, you may be nothing but a collection of unintelligent, robotic cell communities.-DAVID: As stated above, stop confusing two levels of biology. I am arguing at the cellular level for one-celled organisms. That was the lecture bBella presented.-You are confusing all levels of our discussion. Firstly, if you now accept that decision-making is a sign of intelligence, you will have to revise your human-based definition of intelligence and bring it in line with my own. Secondly, according to you, it's not only single-celled creatures that are automatons, but also multicellular creatures like ants, which I used as an analogy to the way cell communities function (remember the decapitated mantis?). So you will also have to revise your verdict on multicellular organisms.