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From: kort@hounx
Newsgroups: net.bio
Subject: Re: Orphaned Response
Message-ID: <836@hounx>
Date: Sat, 26-Apr-86 17:13:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: hounx.836
Posted: Sat Apr 26 17:13:00 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 11-May-86 16:50:28 EDT
References: <311@dg_rtp>
Lines: 40

It's fun to speculate on the role of consciousness in evolution and
survival.  

Herewith some idle musings on the possible sequence of evolutionary events:

1.  Nonconcious species evolved with ever-more-successful programs of
wired-in behavior (instinct).  Example: Nest-building.

2.  Some species evolved with feedback loops that would modulate their
instinctive drives according to information gathered via the senses.
Example: Sniffing out prey.

3.  Some species evolved with delay networks, that enabled them to postpone
their response to environmental stimuli to a more propitious time.
Example:  Waiting until the prey was cornered.

4.  Some species evolved with memory in which complex strategies could be
learned by trial and error.  Example:  Stalking from downwind of the prey.

5.  Some species evolved with memory maps of their local environment.
Example:  Cave-dwelling elephants.

6.  Some species evolved with ideation and planning, based on the
exploitation of the information in their memory maps.  Example:
Planning a hunt.

7.  Some species noticed that the self was also an object which
took up space in the environment, and was subject to the construction
of a memory map, known as a self-image.  Example:  Narcissus.

8.  Some species made use of their self-image to plan their exploits
based on recognized strengths and weaknesses.  Example:  Notre Dame's
exploitation of the Forward Pass.

9.  Some species planned programs of self-improvement based upon
a critical evaluation of their self-image.  Example:  Jean Houston.

10.  Some species became conscious.  Example:  (Fill in the blank.)

Barry Kort