Teleology and Thomas Nagel (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, April 22, 2016, 19:44 (3136 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: I totally accept that there are different levels of awareness and intelligence, but the discussion here centres on teleology, which for me depends on intentionality, and that in turn depends on when and how awareness arose, of whatever kind and degree. According to you, it preceded life on Earth, in the form of your God (top down). Some theorists claim that awareness came into existence with the beginning of organic life (bottom up). Panpsychism argues that some form of awareness is present in all matter (theistic top down, non-theistic bottom up). Whichever of these is true will determine the beginning and the nature of intentionality. - Excellent summary of the various positions.