If you're asking whether there are accurate complex-systems simulations of whole animals, there aren't yet ...
At present, we lack instrumentation capable of gathering detailed data about how animals work; and we lack computers powerful enough to run such simulations (though some supercomputers may be on the verge) Theory suggests that such simulations will be possible, but it hasn't been proved conclusively ... so I guess you can still maintain some kind of "vitalism" for a couple decades or so if you really want to ;-) ben On Jan 24, 2008 11:27 AM, Mike Tintner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I take your general point re how complex systems can produce apparently > spontaneous behaviour. > > But to what actual courses of action of actual animals (such as the fly > here) or humans has this theory been successfully applied? > > Ben: The question vis-a-vis the fly - or any animal - is whether the > > *whole* > >> course of action of the fly in that experiment can be accounted for by > >> one - > >> or a set of - programmed routines or programs period. My impression - > >> without having studied the experiment in detail - is that it weighs > >> against > >> that conclusion, without being the final word. > > > > Definitely not ... there is vast evidence from the theory of complex, > > deterministic > > dynamical systems that this sort of "apparently spontaneous" behavior can > > emerge from simple underlying deterministic dynamics... > > > > > ----- > This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email > To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: > http://v2.listbox.com/member/?&; > -- Ben Goertzel, PhD CEO, Novamente LLC and Biomind LLC Director of Research, SIAI [EMAIL PROTECTED] "If men cease to believe that they will one day become gods then they will surely become worms." -- Henry Miller ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=89482521-9ee316
