Explaining natural wonders (Animals)

by David Turell , Monday, May 01, 2017, 18:55 (2762 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: I simply find it illogical to argue that God specifically designed the weaverbird’s nest in order to provide food so that evolution could continue “until humans arrived”.

The simple logic is the weaverbird fits into an eco-niche that helps feed life

dhw: according to you God designed these natural wonders because the organisms did not have the ability to work such things out for themselves, and they were all essential to keep evolution going until, with his limitless powers, he could finally design the only thing he wanted to design. And your only explanation for this weird logic is that this was the way your God chose.

The logic has to do with an energy supply. God decided to take His time. the time scales tell us that is a distinct possibility. Why not accept it?

dhw: Insects can solve problems, which is probably the best guide to “intelligence”. I am not in the least surprised by these discoveries, and in due course more and more scientists will probably join McClintock, Margulis, Shapiro and others in concluding that even brainless bacteria are sentient, cognitive, intelligent beings. Many thanks for continuing to provide so much evidence for what you do not believe in.
DAVID: Note, I agree that insects with brains can solve simple problems. Single-celled organisms are automatons. I hope you can add to your favorite M.M.S group of bacteria supporters. I've not run into any but would tell you if I did.

dhw: I prefer to list the attributes we associate with intelligence, and what we find is that bacteria respond to environmental change (sentience), adapt their behaviour to changing circumstances, communicate and cooperate with one another, solve problems, take decisions. Please tell me what other attributes you would consider necessary before you apply the term “intelligent”.

Your attributes are correct. They are simply following an inte4lligently given algorithm. From the outside it looks just the same as what you imagine their intelligent actions seem.

dhw: I have on several occasions drawn your attention to the work of G. Albrecht-Buehler, who has spent a lifetime studying cellular biology.
G. Albrecht-Buehler’s Cell Intelligence Website
www.basic.northwestern.edu/g-buehler/cellint0.htm

I have re-read his website. Nothing in it changes my interpretation that automatic processing is happening. What I find interesting is what you are following is over 20 years old. Have you found any advances by followers in his research which covered 30 years? Remember all looks the same from the outside.