RE: The Meaning of Life(tm) (was Re: virus: Religion)

Robin Faichney (r.j.faichney@stir.ac.uk)
Wed, 28 May 1997 10:00:00 +0100


David McF wrote:
>At 09:54 AM 27/05/97 +0100, Robin Faichney wrote:
>
>>Cybernetics and the philosophy of mind. - Kenneth M. Sayre. -
>> London; Routledge and Kegan Paul [etc.], 1976.
>
>Thanks. Here's what Amazon.com says...
>
>Availability: This item is out of print, but if you place an order we
may be able
>to find you a used copy within 2-6 months. We can't guarantee a
specific condition,
>binding, or edition.

Ain't university libraries wonderful!

>>I tend not to believe in purpose at any level other than that
>>of the individual, but I guess it could be a useful metaphor,
>>to capture what is *in effect* more than blind chance.
>
>Why do you believe it purpose at the level of the individual?
Individuals are
>just collections of smaller systems.

The concept of purpose *works* for individuals. See Dennett's
Intentional Stance. *Everything* but certain subatomic particles
is just a collection of smaller systems. Does that mean we
should dump all principles but those of quantum mechanics?

Robin