bacterial intelligence shown to be DNA driven (Animals)

by David Turell , Thursday, October 19, 2017, 17:54 (2594 days ago) @ dhw

Dhw: If we define intelligence as the ability to take in information, process it, communicate, cooperate, make decisions etc., then according to the various scientists you so kindly quoted, bacteria are intelligent. The discussion here concerns the existence of cellular intelligence, not the source of life and intelligence, which nobody knows. However, we have considered three options: a God, chance, a form of panpsychism that gradually evolved bottom upwards out of the infinite and eternal mixing of energy and matter. I know you’re with God. That does not mean there is no such thing as cellular intelligence.

DAVID: We are still at the same point and apart. Intelligent instructions will appear to be cellular intelligence. Bacteria react automatically to stimuli.

dhw: So do humans. And then they use their autonomous intelligence to work out what to do if the stimulus creates a problem. You wrote that you might accept my hypothesis of cellular intelligence if I could supply a logical source other than God. I asked why it could only be acceptable if God was NOT the source, and if you thought he was incapable of inventing such a mechanism.

When we have discussed cell intelligence I have said God supplies the intelligent instructions. I don't see any other way.