Biological complexity: how we smell odors (Introduction)

by David Turell , Monday, May 30, 2016, 14:43 (3099 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: There are two questions here: 1) are bacteria intelligent? 2) If so, where did their intelligence come from? Since some scientists inform us that bacteria are sentient, cognitive, cooperative, communicative, decision-making beings, we should recognize the possibility that they are intelligent, as all of these are hallmarks of intelligence. If they are intelligent, we should also recognize the possibility that their intelligence may have been given to them by the creative power you call God. As an agnostic, I have never denied this possibility.-I know that. What I cannot accept is in innate ' bacterial intelligence' as a concept, when I can see a logical series of chemical reactions making the proper responses occur.- 
> DAVID: A set of molecular reactions that accomplish a purposeful response are a neural network look-alike. Intelligence plans it. Your use of the word 'intelligence' is ethereal. What creates it; where does it come from? Sourceless.
> 
> dhw: Yes indeed, a purposeful response is a sign of intelligence. As for the source, see above. However, I must point out that your use of “God” or a “Universal Intelligence” is ethereal. What created it? Where did it come from? Sourceless. And please don't mention First Cause, which explains absolutely nothing.-If one believes, as I do in cause and effect, there must be a first cause.