<Bob Clark (9512055.1650 EDT)>
DETERMINISM VS FREEDOM VS PARTIAL FREEDOM
I am not aware of any theory of behavior (by any name) that does not
fall into one of THREE categories. A. "Complete Determinism." B.
"Complete Freedom" C. "Partial Freedom."
A. COMPLETE DETERMINISM.
Assumes: "If a complete statement of ALL positions and ALL velocities
are known at some SPECIFIC TIME, all future positions and velocities
CAN BE PREDICTED." Since no one has provided a complete statement of
ALL positions and velocities SIMULTANEOUSLY, this is no more than an
ASSUMPTION -- with no confirmation. It can NEITHER be PROVED nor
DISPROVED.
It is therefore useless for FURTHER ANALYSIS, THEORETICAL
DEVELOPMENT, or other APPLICATION.
B. COMPLETE FREEDOM.
This is the other extreme. It assumes: "Anything, Everything, can be
changed, somehow." I know of no one who asserts that he has "Complete
Freedom." There are those that ASSUME THE EXISTENCE of some kind of
BEING (commonly called "GOD," or some equivalent) who has such
ability. Except for THAT ONE, other gods, if any, are ASSUMED to
have VARIOUS LIMITATIONS. Given this ASSUMPTION, ANYTHING could
occur ANYWHERE at ANY TIME. And all observable events, past,
present, or future, can readily be attributed to such a being.
This is also no more then an ASSUMPTION. It, too, can NEITHER BE
PROVED nor DISPROVED, and is also useless for FURTHER ANALYSIS,
THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT, or other APPLICATION.
C. PARTIAL FREEDOM.
This Category of Theory assumes: "That SOME things can be changed
SOMETIMES." Reliable demonstration, or other proof, may not be easy.
Suitable methods may be obscure. But this is the assumption of
Partial Freedom.
B:CP
This book, and related discussions, have two areas of concern: a)
application of the Concepts of Feedback Control Theory to Human
Behavior, and b) explanations of the origins, operations, and
modifications of the resulting Hierarchy.
a) The Hierarchy.
As defined, this structure is fixed ("determined") at any given
moment. It senses events in its environment. It maintains (or tries
to maintain) the incoming signals at, or acceptably close to, its
Reference Levels. Lower Level Reference Levels are established by
the actions of higher level systems as they operate to maintain their
own Reference Levels. As described, this Hierarchy, alone, is purely
mechanical in nature. It is completely predictable ("determined"),
if the details of its own state as well as the state of the
environment are both given at the same specific time.
This description tends to be confirmed by successful representation
of sub-sections of the Hierarchy in terms of computers and
accompanying programs. Computers, given suitable programming, can
produce amazing results -- but only because some human programmer has
provided for them.
Results may be unexpected, but I have yet to hear of a computer
originating any behavior that had not been planned by someone in
advance.
b)Origins and Modifications
A "Reorganizing System" is proposed as an answer to these questions.
This System is described in Chapter 14, Learning, pp 177 - 202. It
responds exclusively to Intrinsic Error. Recent discussions seem to
have extended the concept to any form of Reorganization needed to
correct any error and/or to change the Hierarchy. This becomes
synonymous with all forms of "Learning." But this is an interaction
between the Hierarchy (as it exists at any specific moment) and its
environment (at that same moment). Mediated, somehow, by the
Reorganizing System.
Quoting in more detail from B:CP, p 184: "... we will imagine a
device which SENSES the set of quantities in question, and reports
them in the form of one or several perceptual signals." Likewise:
"... we will provide the reorganizing system with INTRINSIC
REFERENCE SIGNALS. These signals are also convenient fictions." Same
page: "... we insert a comparison function (a comparator) into the
system, a device which emits an INTRINSIC ERROR SIGNAL that drives
the output of the system." Further: "Thus, the output of the system
is driven by a condition of intrinsic error, ceasing only when
intrinsic error falls to zero." Finally, p 185: "In brief, INTRINSIC
ERROR DRIVES REORGANIZATION: our model of the reorganizing system ...
which is the model of learning I propose."
There is no description of the interconnections between the Intrinsic
System and the Reorganizing System nor between either System and the
Hierarchy. THAT is left to the reader's imagination.
With these assumptions, appealing as they are, both the Intrinsic
System and the Reorganizing System are included within the
Hierarchy's Environment. And these Systems, as they are described
c. "Attention," "Volition," and "Consciousness" are familiar
concepts. What are they? Where do they come from? How do they
relate to the Hierarchy?
In B:CP, Chapter 14, Learning, pp 197 - 201, Bill discusses these
concepts. Here Awareness and Consciousness are attributed to the
Reorganizing System without explaining how this is done. Nor is
there any explanation of how Awareness may be connected to the
Hierarchy. Nor is there explanation of how, or by what, the
Reorganizing System may be controlled. "Volition" is provided by
assuming that the Reorganizing System is somehow capable of
introducing arbitrary "Test Signals" at any point in the Hierarchy.
How? What determines this action? Originally it was proposed
(assumed) that it did this "arbitrarily." This works pretty well when
Intrinsic Errors are the Driving Force for these activities. But
such random actions are likely to be too slow and uncertain for more
complex, planned, learning. A more capable System is needed.
d. "Creativity," "Freedom of Choice," and "Initiative" are also
familiar concepts. Does B:CP provide for these phenomena? Can a
Completely Determinate System exhibit such phenomena? Or is there
some provision for Choice -- not merely unexpected results but
inherently CREATIVE actions? Bill's own behavior demonstrates that
he is, himself, highly Creative. He certainly has a great deal of
Initiative. But I do not find such concepts in B:CP. Without these
capabilities, we have described "a car without a driver."
Perhaps I have missed discussion of these topics -- I certainly have
not been aware of all the discussions that have occurred over the
years.. Neither do I recall discussion of these topics during the
years Bill and I were associated at the VA Hospital.
NEURAL SYSTEMS
I. The Cerebellum.
In B:CP, Chap 9, p 115 ff, the Cerebellum was diagrammed and
discussed. This is, obviously, a complex organ with multiple
functions. Bill found that Systems up to Third Order, and possibly
higher, could be described with the aid of this organ and its
neighbors. He proceeded to develop Higher Orders with limited
further anatomical description in this Chapter. The Reorganizing
System is not considered in this Chapter.
II. The Autonomic System(s).
These Systems have been well-known for many years. Some of their
branches connect to the "involuntary" muscles, and other branches to
assorted sensory endings. These Systems are involved with all the
internal organs, digestive systems, heart, respiratory, skin, middle
ear, pupil of eye, etc, etc. THIS, INDEED, looks like the neural
component of the Intrinsic System! The two sides of the peripheral
portion of this System (efferent and afferent) seem to be established
without question. Their Central Termini of these several nerves are
not described in sources readily available to me. They may be
mediated via the Cerebellum, or other structures. Several are
available. But Central connections are clearly indicated.
III. Reorganizing System?
Although the Central Connections of the Autonomic System are not
completely known, this System has all the properties required by the
Reorganizing System: a) it is clearly connected to the Intrinsic
Systems (physiological), and, b) it has neural connections to the
Central Systems. It can, therefore, affect the Hierarchy, the
Voluntary System, which appears to be located largely within the
Cerebrum. These observations make both the concepts of The Intrinsic
System, and that of The Reorganizing System, more believable.
Otherwise they are no more than reasonable assumptions.
IV. Attention and Volition.
The Autonomic System "Pays Attention" -- "perceives" -- and "affects
the Hierarchy." By definition, these are the characteristics of the
Autonomic System -- that is, the Reorganizing System.
Even before birth, the baby is exploring -- experimenting. The rat
put into a maze immediately begins to explore it -- just as a human,
arriving in a new building, or city, studies it, or a map of it.
When he doesn't have something of interest, or concern, he is bored,
and then takes the initiative. ("Mom, what can I DO? I'm bored.")
He (his Autonomic System) controls his Attention, and where desired,
his voluntary actions -- his Volition. His Autonomic System in
action!.
V. Memory.
Without some form of Memory, the individual cannot develop -- the
results of his explorations, etc are lost. The equivalent of some
form of "Recording" is needed. One's own experience of memories seem
convincing to most people. Somehow, perhaps automatically, he learns
to remember (record) his experiences and to build upon them. But
with the multitude of incoming events and experiences, he must "pay
Attention" to those items of greater priority -- this, then, is the
basis of Memory. Attention is essential! This process can be
extended to apply to more advanced and complex situations.
VI. Learning.
This view suggests that the fetus, at a rather early stage, is
developing an Autonomic System. And soon begins to develop his
Cerebrum. Some form of Memory is needed very early, becoming more
organized as it develops. Even before birth fetus is moving its arms
and legs, etc, and doubtless other items. After birth it is readily
observed as it works with its environment. Notice, however, that it
is EXPERIMENTING, STUDYING its surroundings. Of course it cannot be
said to "UNDERSTAND" them -- that requires much more advanced
development. Gradually the lower level systems, with their related
memories, take form. These systems are not necessarily the same for
all individuals. They have similarities -- especially at the lower
levels, where the alternatives are much more limited.
UNEXPECTED ADDITIONS
These observations lead to unexpected additions to the theoretical
structure.
I. Emotion.
This topic has been suggested occasionally. So far as I know, the
only published discussion of this topic is in Living Control Systems
II, Emotion [1972], p 31 ff. After noting, "Emotions are well-known
to have two components, one thought-like and one sensation-like."
Bill continues with a discussion of the sensation-like side. This
fits rather well with the above observations and discussion. Then he
continues by linking these two components to the Hierarchy. This is
done by introducing "Goals" and "Conflict." These are discussed at
some length. The only items, related to the "Hierarchy," not
mentioned are "Memory" and "Imagination." People certainly become
upset, or angry, or whatever, by reading of purely imaginary events
-- perhaps a movie or a book.
Emotions, then, involve a combination of the Autonomic System(s) with
the Hierarchy. Such situations are readily included within the view
of the Living Organism suggested in this Communication..
II. Personality.
As the person develops, he interacts with those around him. He
learns, and remembers, what can be expected from other living beings.
From his experiences, he develops patterns of behavior that repeat,
at least in part. In this manner, he develops a "Personality" as
seen by others. In addition, he sees other Personalities, but not
his own. Because he continues to explore, test, and learn new forms
of behavior, his Personality is not static! There is no guarantee
that he will be right -- in any sense -- as he continues to develop,
explore, and experiment. If his experimental behavior doesn't seem
to work, he will try another. His Personality may change! Such
continued experimentation is crucial to continuing development.
III. Self.
What is at the top of the Hierarchy? In B:CP p 224, after a
discussion of the "Perceptual Switch" and the "Memory Switch," Bill
says "I bypassed the question of WHAT flips the memory switch. "One"
flips it! I plead guilty to obfuscation --" From the present
analysis, it appears that the top of the Hierarchy is controlled by
The Autonomic System -- that is, The Intrinsic System, working with
The Reorganizing System, and capable of displaying Emotions!
SUMMARY
Starting with a discussion of determinism, freedom and partial
freedom, an observational and consistent basis for theory of behavior
of living beings is developed. It is based on observations of
behavior, studies of neurology, and the concepts of the Intrinsic
System, Autonomic System, the Reorganizing System, and the Hierarchy.
With these tools, much Human Behavior can be encompassed, and can
extended to much behavior of all self-animated living beings!
Sincerely, Bob Clark