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It might be easier if you warp your viewpoint across multiple frames of reference. The intent of the car (to travel) is a human mental construct, which can be i
by pirateking 14y ago
It might be easier if you warp your viewpoint across multiple frames of reference. The intent of the car (to travel) is a human mental construct, which can be independent of its physical properties.
There are the physical properties of parts, driving higher level mechanical systems, all working together to create an even higher level model with its own emergent properties (speed, handling, fuel economy, etc.).
The ability to discern the intent of a car is an emergent property of our culture. We grow up seeing wheels in motion all around us, houses have garages, roads and parking lots exist. A car can just as easily be viewed as a mobile shelter or a pizza transport machine.
Similarly, a pile of rocks may actually have intent in some cultures. A pair of sticks can map to eating utensil after all.
- cristianpascu 14y agoThen my question is how can function occur in the natural world without intent. Natural selection explains why that function is kept once it occurs. Think of it like this: a space of N dimensions, for N properties, with an infinite number of values for each. Small variations (genetic mutations) of each of these property values, will move the position of the system in this N dimensions space. Initially, most of the parameters are null. But, there's a clear trajectory, or a set of possible trajectories from the initial position to the position where, by a certain combination of parameters, a function occurs. When there's intent, it's very easy to see the path from A to B. But when there's no intent, and not foreknowledge of the possibility of a particular function (a special position in the N space), finding that particular spot by random variations sound enormously improbable. Does this low probability have a name or something?