April 4, 2006 - 15:29
Projects:
The brain is absolutely so complex and interesting. I like how Professor Blank defined an emergent system as being below the level of meaning and rational systems as being at or above the level of meaning. This really clarified much of the confusion I have had about the different systems. It finally has been clear to be the difference between an emergent system and intelligent design; the fact that an emergent system does not have an outcome in mind. I do agree that some emergent systems might not have an outcome in mind, but whose “outcome in mind” is the answer. I do agree with Laura when she said that an emergent system might not have an outcome in mind, but it might have a certain outcome for some other system. I think that something interesting does not always have to be a solution to something, but I think that it can be. I think that emergent systems are emergent until they give a solution for something. It is also possible that anything interesting could always be a solution to something, and maybe we just do not know yet what that something is. I also feel that there can be systems that are emergent and rational. As of now, I think that is how I view the brain. I think that it has components from both emergent and rational systems. I agree that they brain is like a “super computer” made up of many neurons (computers). But I also feel that the brain is not necessarily like an emergent system because it has some goals, such as forming us humans physically the same, but it some sense different, and this is where I think the emergent system somewhat comes in.
One thing that came to mind, when I was thinking of the brain, is that why is it sometimes the brain can always output the same output and other times it comes out with completely different outputs. I know we discussed how the input-output of ones system works, but can the outcomes/inputs always be explained through this?
Lastly, I actually think that emergent systems differ in everyone’s mind, because it all depends on if one thinks that the outcome was intentional or not.
Comments
Interesting =? Solution
Submitted by jrohwer on April 4, 2006 - 21:57 Permalink
I agree with Sarah. Maybe
Submitted by Laura Cyckowski on April 5, 2006 - 09:10 Permalink
That's Interesting
Submitted by LauraKasakoff on April 5, 2006 - 14:15 Permalink
Interestingly ...
Submitted by PaulGrobstein on April 9, 2006 - 10:34 Permalink
"What scares me about the word 'interesting' is its subjective connotation" .... perhaps some measure of "subjectivity" is actually inherent in all inquiry? and, properly recognized/used, an asset rather than a liability, a feature rather than a bug?
"anything interesting is also a solution to a problem: the problem of whether or not our knowledge is complete/the problem of whether or not our knowledge of the completeness of our knowledge is correct" ... To perhaps put it differently, "interesting" is something that causes us to recognize that our understanding is incomplete. One might characterize that itself as a problem or, as Jesse does, as the answer to a problem/question. One might also characterize it as ... exciting, a take off point for continuing productive inquiry?
...and surprising
Submitted by Kathy Maffei on April 12, 2006 - 12:52 Permalink
I'm still interested.
Submitted by LauraKasakoff on April 16, 2006 - 21:27 Permalink
"...something interesting
Submitted by Laura Cyckowski on April 17, 2006 - 14:14 Permalink