ALL LIVING SYSTEMS HAVE A MIND: ONTOGENIC LEARNING THEORY AS A GENERAL THEORY OF ONTOGENY AND A THEORY OF MIND

摘要

Anaxagoras introduced the notion of philosophy and mind to the Athenians between 462 and 432 B.C. Anaxagoras argues that mind is the primary cause of all change and differentiates living things from dead matter. Ontogeny is the history of structural change to a living thing. Thus, following Anaxagoras, mind causes ontogeny. This paper sets out a general theory of ontogeny as the process of mind that causes life to emerge. rnThe mystery of ontogeny, however, is complicated by a desire to find general laws that pertain to the diversity of living systems – bacteria, algae, fungi, plants, animals, social systems and the biosphere. The pursuit of general laws has been perverted by the discovery of DNA and the desire of biologists to reduce life to atomic matter. I oppose this line of thinking to propose a general theory of ontogeny that is not innate. I refer to this thesis as ontogenic learning theory. rnIt has been argued that living systems have three primary functions – a structure, an organisation and a process. The process is a cognitive one in which a living system ‘knows’ how to function autonomously. In articulating the details of this cognitive process, ontogenic learning theory argues that ontogeny is directed a learning process, rather than development being an innate unfolding of DNA. Ontogenic learning theory suggests, therefore, that all living systems possess a ‘mind’, be they bacteria, fungi or the biosphere. rnThree premises support the hypothesis that a learning process directs ontogeny. First, as open systems it is imperative that living systems engage with their environment. As such, I argue that adaptation is nature’s survival strategy. Second, living systems have irreversible processes and a finite life. Thus, I propose that the learning curve is nature’s organising principle. Third, all living systems makes choices, and choice requires information. As a result, I posit that information is nature’s common language. These are the essential elements of a learning process – the accumulation of externally obtained information. rnOntogenic learning theory argues that all life is ‘intelligent’ and uses such intelligence to self-develop, thereby creating their own structure, producing their own organisation and managing their own existence. Thus, living systems are active adaptationists, rather than inherited engines.