my "depressing" view of sentience
It doesn't exist. We rationalize mechanical reactions. Always. Anxiety is arousal, discomfort. Why arousal discomfort coming from the body? Pick a stressor. Freak out about it. You rationalize simple feelings. You rationalize automatic reactions.
But why is that depressing? Why not find it freeing? Zen? Perfectly calming? You can't control your moment to moment reactions but your rationalizer can increase and decrease the probability of reactions.
my "depressing" view of sentience
@Fuego I think about this a lot, too... and I'm not sold on it entirely, but it's definitely an interesting perspective.
I think we're capable of elevating ourselves from that line of thought-- but I would also argue that there are many levels of "sentience."
The animal levels range from instant reaction without thought to considering consequences before acting; The human levels are far more diverse but always chained to emotion and previous experience.
sentience, free will, etc
@mawr I think sentience is an illusion and "free will" is the qualia of running over a part of your brain grooves that isnt quite so deep as the ones you're used to.
sentience, free will, etc
@Fuego Hmm! That's an interesting theory.
sentience, free will, etc
sentience, free will, etc
@literorrery @mawr yes yes yes yes. Push the probability of a given behavior, and then a set of given possible rationalizations. Change subtly the dopamine squirt from an ingrained reaction up or down.
sentience, free will, etc
@literorrery @Fuego Huh! I always thought of magic as reaching outward as opposed to inward. That... could explain a few things.
sentience, free will, etc
@Fuego This begs the question of what true sentience is in that construct; the absence of influence from emotion & personal experience?
I'm convinced that "free will" is something we only exercise meaningfully approximately once or twice a week in those moments in which our routines break down... but must one have and exercise free will to be considered truly sentient? Is any form of routine a burden to that concept?
I have no answers; just things to consider.