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RE: How Cells Use Logic To Do The Impossible

in #biology7 years ago

There is some good stuff here. As a researcher in philosophy, particularly Plato and Aristotle, I find the general thrust of this piece fascinating. I believe Aristotle would too have agreed--though you would have had to go a long way to get him to agree--that cells "use" logic. Though for Aristotle it could only have been the same way an animal "thinks", which was more or less "automated"--with some interesting exceptions. That said, they could not be "choosing" to use logic; even if they were using it. This is more or less Plato's critique of logical reasoning, but that is really another story.

The more interesting line of thought, IMO, is from the Myth of Silenus. Silenus was a buddy of Dionysus, the party god, who was said to have been extremely wise; especially when drunk. When forced to explain the meaning of life, Silenus replied: If human, best never to have been born at all. Second best is to die soon. Uh, yeah.

Sounds like Silenus was already hip to the idea of final chaos. There is a new movement in philosophy called anti-natalism, which is just what it sounds like. Best NOT to have kids, never be born at all. Since life is more pain than pleasure overall, in that sickness and death out weight the rest.

I see interesting links between your ideas and this new movement.

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I actually have a book called Better Never to Have Been, which I read years ago. I didn't realize there was an active movement within philosophy, though I do see it in real life very much, people opting not to have children.

Thanks for the interesting comment!

HA! The author of that book is the one being somewhat credited with starting the movement. It is really ancient, obviously, but academics like to give things new names all the time so they can feel relevant. Silly scholars.