jumping out of the system

Jeff Prideaux (JPRIDEAUX@GEMS.VCU.EDU)
Wed, 8 Nov 1995 00:24:55 -0400


Bruce E. responds:
>It is not clear (from this example) that the jumping out *has*
>to be done by non-computable means.
>...
>I think you are confusing computers and designed computer programs

Perhaps.

Howard Patee puts forth some interesting ideas... I paraphrase (and
probably distort a little)...
1) that there can be physical systems with no symbolic aspect (no
purposes).
2) There can be ideal computational systems with only a symbolic
aspect (the implementation independent of the physical aspect)...
That is, the same computation can be emplemented on very different
physical systems.
3) And there can be systems that have spects of both (matter-symbol
complementarity). It is this third type that Patee says open-ended
evolution can occur (and life).

He refers to semantic closure, a necessary "epistimic cut", and the
distinction between laws and mesurements (or initial conditions)...

I am curious what other people think of Patee's ideas... and whether
measurement, interacting with an environment, the establishment of
purpose, etc., is impoertant in the "jumping out of the system"
concept.

Jeff Prideaux