Re: Evolution increases the computational ability of organisms.


"Tim Tyler" <seemysig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:fd7h5i$469$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Glen M. Sizemore wrote:
"John Wilkins" <j.wilkins1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

On this account of "information", it would seem that any regular causal
influence is information. Hence, all physical things are information. So
I wonder what use there is in calling anything information at all, let
alone genes. It simply fails to say anything other than "it is
physical".

I have said this very thing many, many times. The same is generally true
for
the way "computation" is used. Also, to some extent the same thing occurs
when it is said that brains "process." What does "process" mean other
than
some neurons 'fire,' and they make other neirons 'fire'"? I use "firing"
for
action potentials, but I could easily have included generator potentials
and, possibly, gap junction type stuff.

A diagram of what 'processing' usually means in computer science:

http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/input%20processing%20output/input_process_output/

The physical substrate is not considered relevant - so processing
need not involve neurons, or any other hardware implementation detail.

But I was talking specifically about brains being said to "process." The
point I made is that it means nothing more than something like "stimuli
cause some neurons to fire, and these cause other neurons to fire." That is,
it says something we have known for more than a hundred years, and dresses
it up in computer metaphor. Not only does it do what I just said, it implies
a homunculus. Welcome to the world of cognitive "science" and cognitive
neuro"science." And do keep in mind that much of evolutionary psychology is
handmaiden to cognitive "science."



.

Relevant Pages

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