Wright said:
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
That of #1:
Let me be specific, because I think I might have over complicated things.
We cannot observe mental processes (thought), only the chemical reactions we know to be tied to them. This is what I mean by it being indistinguishable. Not being able to tell the difference doesn't mean that they are the same. Perhaps, incomprehensible would be a better word. Rather its more likely that thought is the deciphering of those interactions but then we're leaving biology and going into psychology.
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Gee, I still don't truly get this. Thought I'd blame things being lost in translation rather than a confusing explanation.
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Addressing that of #2:
Programming is just a set of instructions that define behavior. The state of that programming in action and being processed is what could be considered the machine's "spriit". This metaphor, applies to lifeforms as we know them as well. DNA is just a set of instructions that describe how to build a lifeform. But then that means that the lifeform itself is just the processing of genetic instruction.
The difference here is that in a machine, the actualization of the instructions are the programs running the machine, while for living things the machine and the program are the same thing. But in this case, there is no distiguishment between living, dead, or non-living matter.
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What about the fact that it's a machine? Or you think we could construct a perfectly programmed lifeform that behaves on free will, and choses to process its genetic instruction as it wishes?
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If its simply a question of programming complexity, then it stands to reason that is an inevitability not a possibility. Furthermore, free will may very well be an illusion. Every choice that you make can be attributed to a response to stimuli, and that reaction is simply a result of hardwired DNA not choice or anything like that.
Even Human's, the titular intellegent being with "Free Will", has no mental choice over how their DNA creates cells in their body, it just happens. You can influence your DNA intentionally by changing your environment via epigenetics, but you can't control how that DNA is processed and controls you.
Like I said, Machine's are run by programs, the programs are the code in action.
Lifeforms themselves are both the program and the machine, DNA is the genetic code that puts lifeforms in action.
