Re: [asa] Parameterized Evolution

On Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 6:27 PM, David Campbell <pleuronaia@gmail.com>wrote:

> > How can one tell whether a feature is a local minimum or an optimized
> state? Does it really matter?<
>
> This is extremely difficult because you're dealing with real organisms
> whose goal is surviving and reproducing, not making the absolutely
> most efficient enzyme, eye, etc.
>

Organism's have a goal? Don't they merely do what the chemicals tell them
to do?

The idea of nature having an intrinisic purpose by which to apply to a
subset of itself is not something I would easily accept. Its too
religious. And I cannot see how it is plausible.

Purpose (to me) has to do with a future desired outcome. Chemicals don't
have desires. They just react according to laws. Aren't organism just
complex assemblys of chemicals?

Or do I misunderstand?

I would agree with your implication that organisms aren't aware of enzymes.
But the statistics may make some enzymes more likely.

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Received on Tue Aug 26 16:42:06 2008