I think the first issue is - that you don't need a brain or
consciousness to engage in semiosis; ie in information interaction.
I won't repeat Peirce's view - since I've said it so many times
[4.551] but semiosis, ie, that triadic interaction of interactive
information generation; ie, sign-production, is basic to our
universe. Obviously that includes the physico-chemical and biological
realms. As he writes;"protoplasm exhibits all properties of mind."
6.255.
And the second issue is - since the Universe is 'perfused with
signs' then, all matter is developed and functions within semiosis.
What is semiosis? A triadic interactive process of information
generation and development - and quite naturally occurs in plants and
the most basic forms of matter.
Edwina
On Sat 18/04/20 2:00 PM , Kelly Parker [email protected] sent:
John & listers--
The book looks fascinating!
I highly recommend this Radiolab podcast from 2016. It's
about the mycorrhizal networks that link forest trees
together. The networks convey nutrients and, it seems, a
fair amount of information among trees.
"From Tree to Shining Tree"
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/from-tree-to-shining-tree
kp
On 4/17/2020 12:28 PM, Edwina Taborsky wrote:
BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica,
sans-serif;font-size:12px; }John - thank you so very much for
this post. I agree with your comments about plants - and as
you say- from bacteria up. Peirce would even include chemical
processes.
Edwina
On Fri 17/04/20 12:09 PM , "John F. Sowa"
[email protected] sent:
In some theories of ontology, the focus on scientific
principles tends to omit or downgrade the importance of
goals, intentions, and feelings. Such issues are
often deprecated as "anthropomorphic". Other systems, which
emphasize neuroscience, downgrade any kind of memory or
reasoning that is not based on neurons. Even the field of
biosemiotics puts more emphasis on animals with brains
than single-celled protozoa, which have no
neurons. The semiotics of plants was usually ignored.
But in recent years, biologists have discovered the complex
methods of communication, memory, and learning by plants. For
a review of those methods, see "The secret life of
plants: How they memorize, communicate, problem
solve, and socialize":
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-secret-life-of-plants-how-they-memorise-communicate-problem-solve-and-socialise?utm_source=pocket-newtab
These developments show the importance of broadening the
foundations of ontology to include phytosemiotics
as well as zoosemiotics. Those issues are
fundamental to every aspect of life from bacteria on up. They
cannot be dismissed as "unscientific".
John
--
Kelly A. Parker, Ph.D.
Director, Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program
Professor of Philosophy, Environmental Studies, & Integrative
Studies (IRIS)
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI 49401 [USA]
(616) 331-3257 | http://kellyaparker.net | alternate email:
[email protected]
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