Complexity of synapse transmission (Introduction)

by dhw, Friday, January 19, 2018, 13:12 (2500 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: As usual we see cells/neurons using protein molecules to present information. No full brain function required. Individual cells are not intelligent in and of themselves. They are programmed to act intelligently.

Dhw: I am pointing out the flaw in your reasoning: the fact that communication and many other cellular activities require biochemical processes does NOT prove that the communicator is an automaton.

DAVID: We have never agreed on proof. My point is, as always, the cells can be programmed to appear intelligent because the responses and chemical actions are intelligently designed and programmed to make intelligent responses and actions. I pick this interpretation because cellular studies support it.

Cellular studies by some scientists unequivocally support the concept of cellular intelligence. The sequence of comments in your first statement (cells use protein molecules...cells not intelligent) would make no sense unless you thought that cellular use of protein molecules provided evidence for your belief in your God’s 3.8 billion-year-old programme for every cellular activity in the history of life. I am simply questioning your reasoning. NB cellular intelligence does not mean that every cell is a genius, or that there are no automatic responses. It means that cellular behaviour is governed by autonomous intelligence that may determine the behaviour of a single cell or of whole communities of cells, as demonstrated most clearly when new problems arise.