Genome complexity: how humans correct errors (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, November 08, 2020, 08:41 (1266 days ago) @ David Turell

QUOTES: We need to think about consciousness itself as an archaeologist thinks about layers of sedimentary strata. At the lower layers, we have basic drives that prod us (and other animals) out into the environment for the exploitation of resources. Thirst, lust, fear and so on are triggers in evolutionarily earlier regions of the brain that stimulate vertebrates toward satisfaction and a return to homeostasis (physiological balance).

"It is probably most accurate to say that primary and secondary emotions have phenomenal consciousness (experiential feeling), but lack access consciousness (the ability to rationally access, manipulate and reflect upon emotions).

This is what I mean when I talk of different levels of intelligence/consciousness. But in the context of evolution, the basic drive is not confined to the brain and the exploitation of resources (i.e. finding food) – it also encompasses finding different modes of survival (e.g. avoiding predators, using or building shelters, countering every threat to existence). And I would suggest that this all begins at cellular level, with “phenomenally conscious” cells cooperating over billions of years to form increasingly complex structures, INCLUDING the brain and every other organ we know of and every other life form we know of. This is the “continuum” of evolution that David talks of, as organisms branch out into an ever more variegated bush, with just one of millions of “lines” leading to humans. The cell communities that form the brain itself would have followed precisely the same process of complexification as they responded to new requirements, including control of their new organs. The brains of most life forms would have settled once they had achieved “satisfaction and homeostasis” but, as we know, the human brain continued to expand as “access consciousness” enabled early humans to rationalize and manipulate – not just in terms of reflecting on emotions etc, but also reflecting on and implementing new methods of surviving and/or exploiting their environment.