Physical universe vs spiritual realm

[Michael]

Repeated explanations of this issue, and pointing out such equivocations, have had little effect.

Exactly what type of an "effect" were you expecting?

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Exactly what type of an "effect" were you expecting?

Evidence of understanding of the issue.

 

[Michael]

Evidence of understanding of the issue.

I understand it's complicated and nuanced, but the published papers don't seem to shy away from the use of those terms as you seem to, so it's not clear what if any difference there is between your position and their position, or your position and mine in the first place.

Whatever the difference, I think we'd both have to agree that "rudimentary intelligence" doesn't require a "brain".

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

... I think we'd both have to agree that "rudimentary intelligence" doesn't require a "brain".

That would depend on what you mean by 'intelligence' in that context, i.e. which definition you're using - and that usually depends on the context; e.g. saying some plant or unicellular organism behaviour displays 'rudimentary intelligence' invokes a different meaning from saying your dog displays 'rudimentary intelligence'.

The key is to take an appropriate meaning from the context.

 

[Michael]

That would depend on what you mean by 'intelligence' in that context, i.e. which definition you're using - and that usually depends on the context; e.g. saying some plant or unicellular organism behaviour displays 'rudimentary intelligence' invokes a different meaning from saying your dog displays 'rudimentary intelligence'.

The key is to take an appropriate meaning from the context.

It's all relative of course, but even single celled organisms can seek out and maintain a balanced diet, solve mazes, predict hot/cold cycles and change their behaviors accordingly. Those are all pretty neat tricks for organisms without a brain.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

It's all relative of course, but even single celled organisms can seek out and maintain a balanced diet, solve mazes, predict hot/cold cycles and change their behaviors accordingly. Those are all pretty neat tricks for organisms without a brain.

Not 'tricks', survival strategies.

 

[Michael]

Not 'tricks', survival strategies.

Indeed. Good ones too.

 

[Michael]

This is an interesting article that popped up on Facebook today, probably because of this conversation. It sounds a tad "hokey" from my perspective, but it's an interesting read.

Scientists Discover Biophotons In The Brain That Could Hint Our Consciousness is Directly Linked to Light!