Re: Definition please

From: Dace (edace@earthlink.net)
Date: Fri Dec 07 2001 - 19:28:29 GMT

  • Next message: Wade T. Smith: "Re: Definition please"

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    From: "Dace" <edace@earthlink.net>
    To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
    References: <B835A4AB.D204%bbenzon@mindspring.com>
    Subject: Re: Definition please
    Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 11:28:29 -0800
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    William Benzon wrote:

    >>>>
    > Mind: The dynamics of the entire brain, perhaps even the entire
    > nervous system, including the peripheral nervous system,
    > constitutes the mind.
    >>>>
    >
    > If that's so, then why shouldn't it be true of every known organic system?
    > Do the dynamics of an entire eco-system constitute a mind? Do the
    dynamics
    > of an entire cell constitute the mind of the cell?

    >>>
    Why would you want to say such things? My definition spoke to nervous
    systems, not systems in general. I don't see why anyone would want to leap
    to such a conclusion.

    BB
    >>>

    It's a logical point. You've cast your net too widely.

    The problem is that you can't demonstrate why, if a brain is accompanied by
    a mind, an electric piano wouldn't have one as well.

    Where do you draw the line? After all, an electric piano has a kind of
    nervous system. It has input and output. It functions dynamically as a
    whole. So, does it have a mind or not?

    TD

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