[John to Platt]
If you define intelligence as purposive behavior, then all life has
intelligence.  Plants are smart enough to turn toward the sun, so in some ways
smarter than lotsa people I know!

[Arlo]
Why stop there? Don't protons and electron exhibit "purposive behavior" when
they form an atom? 

[John]
But really the good question is where do we draw the line at intellect? 

[Arlo]
Yeah, one I've asked Platt several times in a row. He's already says "cells
have intelligence", so I ask what about the smaller things inside the cell. Do
Ribosomes have intelligence? Or does intelligence appear at the cellular level?
If so, where does it reside?

Importantly as well, ask what are the characteristics of intelligence that make
such a statement plausible. Is an amoeba "intelligent" because it pulls away
from acid? What about a sunflower that turns to the sun? (As you say). If one
but not the other, why?

As I said to Adrie, I think conflating "intelligence" with "able to respond to
its environment" is quite a untenable morass.



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