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fix: (some) bad grammar
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Also add anotehr disclaimer. This was not very well written.
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Asger Gitz-Johansen 2025-04-18 09:06:16 +02:00
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content/posts/computation-in-nature.md
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@ -9,17 +9,17 @@ categories = ['opinion']
## Disclaimer ## Disclaimer
This was written as a student project as part of our ethics course, where we had to write an opinion piece on anything This was written as a student project as part of our ethics course, where we had to write an opinion piece on anything
we wanted in the field of computer science. Note that this was before *LLM*'s was a thing. we wanted in the field of computer science. Note that this was before *LLM*'s was a thing. I also apologize if the
wording is off - this was written in an afternoon as a rush-job. I still think it's an interesting read though.
# Computation in Nature # Computation in Nature
> "If you ever think your code is bad, just remember that CPUs are just rocks that we tricked into thinking" > "If you ever think your code is bad, just remember that CPUs are just rocks that we tricked into thinking"
**Does the nature compute, or the computation is something that only the humans are **Does nature compute, or is computation something that only humans are doing? If so, what is it about?**
doing? If so, what is it about?**
To answer this question, we would need to define what the terms used in it even means. If you look up the definition To answer this question, we would need to define what the terms used in it even means. If you look up the definition
of the word ’compute’ on Merriam Websters dictionary, you will find that it primarily means _"to determine of the word ’compute’ on Merriam Websters dictionary, you find that it primarily means _"to determine
especially by mathematical means"_. This definition mentions a usage of mathematics, which suggests a close bond especially by mathematical means"_. This definition mentions a usage of mathematics, which suggests a close bond
between these concepts. What would it mean to determine something? I would argue that it means to make a decision between these concepts. What would it mean to determine something? I would argue that it means to make a decision
based on either prior experience, data or calculations. This implies that computation have a focus on deciding based on either prior experience, data or calculations. This implies that computation have a focus on deciding
@ -33,20 +33,20 @@ mentions that flower petals rarely exceeds a quantity of five. We even see the f
seeds](http://popmath.org.uk/rpamaths/rpampages/sunflower.html). seeds](http://popmath.org.uk/rpamaths/rpampages/sunflower.html).
An example of computation in nature is actually very easy to find. Take a rabbit, or any other smaller prey. A rabbit An example of computation in nature is actually very easy to find. Take a rabbit, or any other smaller prey. A rabbit
is constantly observing and reacting to the sorrounding environment, otherwise it will get eaten by predators or fall is constantly observing and reacting to the sorrounding environment, otherwise it gets eaten by predators or fall
into a lake and drown or any other scenario involving death. You could argue that the rabbit is constantly asking into a lake and drown or any other scenario involving death. You could argue that the rabbit is constantly asking
questions about what to: _"Should I run away?"_, _"Should I keep eating?"_, _"Should I be eating this?"_ etc. The questions about what to: _"Should I run away?"_, _"Should I keep eating?"_, _"Should I be eating this?"_ etc. The
rabbit may not be consciously aware of these queries, but nevertheless, it is answering to them through actions. rabbit may not be consciously aware of these queries, but nevertheless, it is answering to them through actions.
In Empiricism, the concept of a mind being a blank slate (in this case we are talking about a human mind, not In Empiricism, the concept of a mind being a blank slate (in this case we are talking about a human mind, not
a rabbit’s) and experiences gets remembered is very much applicable here. This trait means that a human mind a rabbit’s), which remembers experiences throughout it's life is very much applicable here. This trait means that a
has a memory, i.e. It can remember old conclusions and recall them when desired. We can actually prove that this human mind has a memory, i.e. It can remember old conclusions and recall them when desired. We can actually prove that
trait is not exclusive to humans, since we can observe other mammals (and even fish and reptiles) demonstrating this trait is not exclusive to humans, since we can observe other mammals (and even fish and reptiles) demonstrating
the usage of memory. A prime example is the elephant. the usage of memory. A prime example is the elephant, but pretty much any animal applies here.
In Rationalism, we see a similar pattern of using the method of deduction to find conclusions and deduct new In Rationalism, we see a similar pattern that mimics memory - using the method of deduction to find conclusions and
conclusions (memory). However, if you were to believe the Rationalists, getting the data needed for computation deduct new conclusions. However, if you were to believe the Rationalists, getting the data needed for computation
in nature, may be a tricky task. We previously had an assumption, that we could trust our senses and that other in nature, may be a tricky task. We previously had an assumption that we could trust our senses and that other
creatures also had senses. In Rationalism the only thing we can trust is the fact that we are doubting. Since we creatures also had senses. In Rationalism the only thing we can trust is the fact that we are doubting. Since we
can’t say anything about if the rabbit is doubting everything. This is where the rabbit example breaks down a can’t say anything about if the rabbit is doubting everything. This is where the rabbit example breaks down a
little, but we are not completely stuck here. Humans are mammals and mammals are a type of animal. Animals are little, but we are not completely stuck here. Humans are mammals and mammals are a type of animal. Animals are
@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ to because of the time era he was in and that AI as a field was not as big (if a
Turing finishes the article with the notion that there is still a lot of work to be done in the field of AI and it Turing finishes the article with the notion that there is still a lot of work to be done in the field of AI and it
is a fun contrast to see what arguments and thoughts a mind like his had back in the fifties, compared to modern is a fun contrast to see what arguments and thoughts a mind like his had back in the fifties, compared to modern
AI can offer. Will humans ever be able to create a truly conscious artificial mind? And will we ever be able to AI can offer. Will humans ever be able to create a truly conscious artificial mind? And will we ever be able to
test it properly? test it properly?
If you believe the Mathematical Realists, mathematics is a thing that exists independently of humans, and can be If you believe the Mathematical Realists, mathematics is a thing that exists independently of humans, and can be