[MD] Do genes experience?

[David M]

Hi

If evolution is brought about by natural selection
from natural variation, is not everything that is
selected already existing so that this only explains
why there is this world rather than all posiible worlds?
The real problem is explaining where all the variety is
coming from. Or perhaps at least to recognise it and
give it a nice name like DQ.

The problem with information is who is using the code as
information?

DM


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <beauteak4u at aol.com>
To: <moq_discuss at moqtalk.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 1:21 PM
Subject: Re: [MD] Do genes experience?


> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,923-2066881,00.html
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Platt Holden <pholden at davtv.com>
> To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
> Sent: Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:09:57 -0500
> Subject: [MD] Do genes experience?
> 
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> The main premise of the MOQ is that reality is Quality and Quality is 
> direct experience prior to thought. The question that has been asked 
> and kicked around on this site before is, "How far down the chain of 
> being does direct experience go?" Since reality goes all the way down 
> to quantum particles, direct experience must also go down to that  
> level if Pirsig's theory is to hold up. Old timers on this site will 
> remember the discussion of the question, "Are atoms aware?"
> 
> Now comes an article in the "Times" of London that discusses the 
> implications of Steven Pinker's selfish gene in which the author 
> suggests it's not out of the question to attribute experience to genes, 
> the building blocks of life saying, "It seems to me that if information-
> processing gives us a good explanation of the states of knowing and 
> wanting that are embodied in the hunk of matter called a human brain, 
> there is no principled reason to avoid attributing states of knowing 
> and wanting to other hunks of matter."
> 
> What follows gets into computer science which I find hard to follow but 
> will be meaningful I'm sure to Arlo, Ian, Horse and others practiced in 
> the field. In any case, all participants here should find the article 
> of interest in that it goes to the heart of Pirsig's MOQ premise. You 
> can find it at:
> 
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-1461-2066881-
> 1461,00.html
> 
> As always, comments welcome.
> 
> Regards,
> Platt    
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