senses

minimal-viability: “prefer the simplest explanation, but for territory” interpretation “the basis of cognition is interpretation” Biology, senses, and cognition, evolved. “we distinguish phenomena to survive – to distinguish, we must detect difference” Senses evolved to detect patterns (relative arrangement) of stimuli; patterns become persistable, then recognisable. Persisted, recognisable patterns help identify external phenomena, to improve the circumstances of survival. Mis-identification of external circumstances often worsen the circumstances of survival. “foundations of cognition include ‘distinguishing well’”...

minimal-viability: “prefer the simplest explanation, but for territory” evolution Biology, senses, and cognition, evolved. “we distinguish phenomena to survive – to distinguish, we must detect difference” Senses evolved to detect patterns (relative arrangement) of stimuli; patterns become persistable, then recognisable. Persisted, recognisable patterns help identify external phenomena, to improve the circumstances of survival. Mis-identification of external circumstances often worsen the circumstances of survival. “foundations of cognition include ‘distinguishing well’” discernment Consider that discernment is optimised by:...

Consider a specific kind of new idea: one which illuminates an unnoticed relationship between two familiar concepts, for the first time. Humans refer to this as lateral thinking; and humans pride themselves on the ability to think laterally. Consider that the simplest explanation for this kind of “ability” is as a side-effect of neuronal mechanisms which really must have appeared very early on in the evolution of cognition – in order to distinguish and recognise external phenomena, with minimal evolutionary and operational footprint 1....