PSYCH 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Teleology, Proprioception, Adaptive Behavior
Document Summary
Minds occur only in complex living organisms; requires physiological complexity & life processes. Mind has something to do with brains: brain: a physiological category, require hyper- complex physical/ material substrate. Minds are inferred from an organisms behavior (not observed: mind is a theoretical construct. Adaptive behavior: responsive behavior- seems like active response to environment; goal directed, teleological behavior- goal to make organism better off than it was before; serves a purpose. Physics shows matter & energy, cause/effect, info & entropy. Responsiveness (consequence of agency) have to be on the lookout. Teleology: behave as if they have goals. Higher animals in their adult forms are sensori-neuro-muscular system (response system) Detectors: designed to give us info about what"s around us. Distance receptors are our eyes; we are visually dominant and go with what our eyes see. Alimentary canal is hole in the middle; has taste, pressure to stop eating, nutrient receptors in small intestine.
