• UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    3 months ago

    That the movement of a leaf in the wind is less complex than the electro-chemical processes of a human brain?

    With enough time and math, certainly.

    • merc@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      3 months ago

      The point is, you were using the point that a fly’s movements were complex to argue that a fly has internal agency. But, a leaf floating on the wind also has complex movements. To me, that makes it seem like complex movements aren’t a solid indicator of agency.

      If you’re now talking about dissection, that’s a whole different argument.

      • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        3 months ago

        a fly’s movements were complex to argue that a fly has internal agency

        A fly has the ability to observe its surroundings and adjust its position in response to outside stimulus. A leaf does not. That, alone, adds a dimension of activity that the first possesses and the second doesn’t.

        You can argue that the fly is still a deterministic agent, but the ability to observe and respond adds a dimension of activity that’s more complex than a leaf, which can only move based on the surrounding wind currents.