<Bob Clark (9401202.1540 EST>
In a post to Hal Pepinski (940129 and earlier), Bill Powers
(940129.1135 MST) offers several very useful comments.
However, I am intrigued by finding in the same post (940129.1135
MST), repeated use of such phrases as:
1. >If you pick a goal
2. >You don't choose a strategy just to be choosing it
3. >You might choose
4. >you select still more specific goals
5. >you have to select still more specific
6. >You are selecting one set of subgoals instead of another
7. >What PCT is concerned with is not what goals you choose,
And, if I look at what _you_ are doing, Bill, it seems to me that
"you" are "choosing" and "selecting" "your" own lower level goals
exactly the same way that you describe in your post.
Also, if _I_ look at what "I" am doing, it seems to me that "I" am
also "choosing" and "selecting" "my" own lower level goals exactly
the same way.
Likewise, we both refer to certain activities of other people in
terms of third person pronouns.
Taking these statements directly, avoiding connotations, this usage
of pronouns is exactly the same as "DME," the "Decision Making
Entity" as I have defined it.
Thus each singular personal pronoun refers to the DME of the speaker,
the DME of the one addressed, or the DME of the one observed.
The plural personal pronoun implies some collective action of the
DME's of the individuals composing the group. However this
implication is derived from the actions of the individuals, each of
whom may be acting independently -- but selecting similar actions.
Thus the perception of a "collective DME" exists only within the mind
of the speaker/observer. This perception may, in fact, be entirely
incorrect. It is the perception of the individual speaker/observer
-- no more.
Conditions required for "choosing, selecting, decision making"
require that the individual be "conscious," or the equivalent,
"aware." To the outside observer, this means responsive to external
sensory perceptions. To the person "inside" this means not only
aware of current sensory signals, but also to selected recordings of
previous sensory perceptions.
In order to "choose" or "select" it is necessary to have alternatives
available and to be capable of perceiving them. The existence of
such alternatives is independent of current sensory signals. They
are examined in the process of selecting goals for use in operation
of the hierarchy. Such examination can include "anticipation" of
possible results, based on previous experience -- memories.
It is also necessary for the person to be able to "direct his
attention" independently of other aspects of his situation. In many
cases, of course, the situation will require attention. Yet, in
order to choose and select goals, it is necessary for "him" to be
able to find and examine recordings of previous experience for
alternatives.
I think these concepts together with the corresponding terminology
are generally accepted, at least among "ordinary people," and can be
used to facilitate communication of PCT ideas.
Regards, Bob Clark