RE: MD The intelligence platypus.

From: Paul Turner (paulj.turner@ntlworld.com)
Date: Fri Jan 23 2004 - 17:21:42 GMT

  • Next message: Joe: "Re: MD Objectivity and Harmony: Two Surveys"

    Bo

    Bo said:
    I believe that the trouble with intellect has its origin in the
    unresolved "platypus" INTELLIGENCE. The amazing capacity of animals
    (below both intellect and society) up to "idiots savants" to do the most
    fantastic calculatins in split seconds. You certainly know some
    examples, they are legio. Where is this to be placed in the MOQ. To me
    it sounds as if it is this intelligence that many call "intellect". What
    do you think? ....Everybody!

    Paul:
    As Pirsig says somewhere, I think a problem with the term "intelligence"
    occurs because it is often stretched beyond its usual meaning. If, for
    example, dolphins are to be described as intelligent then it is not a
    precise enough term to distinguish between the human capacity for the
    skilled manipulation of abstract symbols and the ability to push levers
    in anticipation of being given a fish. I would hope that the MOQ would
    give us an alternative vocabulary with which to describe the many types
    of behaviour previously lumped under the banner of "intelligent."

    The other point about mental calculation not being intellectual seems
    incorrect to me. It doesn't strike me as a social pattern, except for
    the need to learn the conventions of arithmetic.

    Regards

    Paul

    MOQ.ORG - http://www.moq.org
    Mail Archives:
    Aug '98 - Oct '02 - http://alt.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/
    Nov '02 Onward - http://www.venus.co.uk/hypermail/moq_discuss/summary.html
    MD Queries - horse@darkstar.uk.net

    To unsubscribe from moq_discuss follow the instructions at:
    http://www.moq.org/md/subscribe.html



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Jan 23 2004 - 17:20:57 GMT