Clever Corvids: using tools (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, September 08, 2015, 18:02 (3153 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: Now that organisms produce their own independent innovations (as opposed to being preprogrammed), I wonder how God can limit their scope and direction other than through the nature of the organism itself and the environment. I can only think of him intervening if he doesn't like them or if he needs an innovation to take a particular organism in the direction of humans, but perhaps you have other means of guidance in mind? -I think defined patterns and limits would work. The Pentadactyl pattern of feet as an example on board in the limitations instructions.
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> DAVID: My view is the sharing of information is through chemical signals to which the cells respond automatically using the intelligent information and instructions they have to use.-As in this article about quorum sensing by molecular signals:-http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/molecular-tweeting-could-hold-the-key-to-busting-superbugs/?WT.mc_id=SA_EVO_20150908-" Bacteria communicate by exchanging signaling molecules, a process known as quorum sensing. The idea is to find out what's behind the behavior of these pathogens and how it can be fought using antibiotics, quorum-sensing inhibitors or even probiotics, he adds."
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> dhw: In the name of Ockham, wouldn't it be simpler if cells used their own (God-given?) intelligence to process and exchange new information as and when it came in, and to cooperate in taking their own decisions accordingly?-Within limits and patterns as described above.
 
> dhw: No one is claiming that cells have the range or even the form of intelligence that we have. The claim is that within their own limitations, they work together intelligently and not automatically to reach their decisions.-One cannot tell the difference between using intelligence and following intelligent information they have been given. Example: I wanted to be a physician, but could not intelligently act in that role until I had the training (given to me) to then perform intelligent acts as a physician.