Different in degree or kind: animal minds (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, December 29, 2015, 23:48 (3037 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: I have no idea how much trial and error was involved (nor do you), but I don't see a problem with the idea of the original perfectly habitable nest being improved on by later generations without prior planning from the beginning. -Your proposed story of the nest must assume a simple nest at the beginning, and then for some reason the Weaver family decided they must have a complex-knotted mansion and instructed countless subsequent generations to gradually improve the initial nest plans. Not at all reasonable to me. Did the birds have to do that? I've not seen that the complex nest has any advantages over the average nest.-> 
> dhw: Yes indeed, our intelligence has enabled us to expand our use of the environment to a far greater degree, and I agree that our consciousness is superior .... But all phyla are different in kind, and use their species intelligence to pursue their species ends. -You are just hedging. Previous phyla are different in 'kind', but by minor degrees. We are different by such a major differences in consciousness and mental power, that we are a major leap for evolution. We don't fit the pattern of evolution of small changes in kind. We are a giant change.-> dhw: I would say all organisms need is information both internal and external, plus the intelligence with which to interpret and use it.
> DAVID: Exactly correct.
> 
> dhw: I have replaced your “intelligently prepared instructions”, which clearly entails a fixed programme planted (presumably by your God) in every organism, with “information both internal and external”, which removes the prescriptive element from the process. I'm glad you approve of the change.-I'm afraid I interpreted your statement differently. Intelligent interpretation can be implanted for the organisms to use, and that can act as the intelligence you love.