Bill Powers (971001.2030 MDT)
Then you must have some meaning for "intention" that includes something
beside the functions of a reference signal in a control system. What does
the idea of a reference signal leave out?
Well, I haven't given it a great deal of thought, yet. I'm mostly reacting,
but I think it has something to do with the notion of a conscious, sentient
being who is capable of formulating and modifying intentions--something more
than a schematic representation or a computer emulation can hope to capture.
Perhaps it's "soul"...I dunno...
I'll think about it some more...
Regards,
Fred Nickols
Senior Consultant
The Distance Consulting Company
nickols@worldnet.att.net
[From Bill Powers (971002.1754 MDT)]
Fred Nichols (971002) --
... I think it has something to do with the notion of a conscious, sentient
being who is capable of formulating and modifying intentions--something more
than a schematic representation or a computer emulation can hope to capture.
Perhaps it's "soul"...I dunno...
I think that the "intention" part, and the "sentient" part, are subject to
modeling. The "conscious" bit, however, is a mystery to me. "Soul" sounds
like a possibility, but I don't know how to model that, either. HPCT is
supposed to be about _everything_ we can notice ourselves doing, at all
levels, so if you can come up with something that's not covered by the
hierarchy as it stands, that will be progress.
Best,
Bill P.