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From: gk2@server.uwindsor.ca (HOLIGROCKI RICK)
Subject: Re: Randomness is a human concept (was Re: Time is a human concept)
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Organization: University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
References: <1994Oct5.121441@twod.gsfc.nasa.gov> <1994Oct8.025507.11036@cabell.vcu.edu> <1994Oct13.135253.21576@galileo.cc.rochester.edu>
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 1994 14:46:57 GMT
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Greg,

I like what you said in your posting.  I made a few comments about it.  I 
think we fundamentally are in agreement.

>Taking a close look at neurology reveals that one of its primary functions
>is the discovery of correlations in inputs, 

Correlation is a mathematical term.  I know that you do not mean to say 
that our brain is making mathematical calculations, however, your 
your use of the word correlation can be taken this way.

which we then use to impose
>a perception of pattern on the world.  We, physiologically, ACTIVELY seek
>out pattern and impose it on our perceptions, often imposing pattern when
>no pattern is there (seeing images in television static, etc) because
>finding pattern is what we DO.  

Yes, we are patterners.  It is probably the one thing we do really well.

But the *way* we find pattern (and this is
>key) is completely slaved to our physiology.  

Not completely.  We are constrained by our physiology at certain levels 
and less so at other levels.  How you and I perceive the differences and 
relations that comprise the form of a square is more constrained by our 
physiology than how we know a social/interpersonal pattern.

We extract certain kinds of
>information and IMPOSE and CREATE perceptual pattern based on how WE
>are programmed to impose it by our structure.  

How about, how we are constrained to impose it by our structure.  Our 
structure (physiological or conceptual) limit us.  Like a nonverbal 20 
questions, not this, not this, not this.....

So all pattern in our
>perceptual world is a "human" construct ( actually, mammalian because we
>all have similar nervous systems ) resutling from our physiology.  

Mammalian, reptillian, etc.  All living systems seem to share in this way 
of organizing their world.

If
>we weren't here to clump and classify, nothing intrinsically would be
>declaring one set of inputs to be "pattern" versus another set of inputs.
>
>Greg Stevens
>
>greg@santafe.edu
>stevens@prodigal.psych.rochetser.edu
>
>>brooke


-- 
 Rick Holigrocki       |  Sweet is the lore which Nature brings;
 Dept. of Psychology   |   Our meddling intellect
 University of Windsor |  Misshapes the beauteous forms of things;
 gk2@.uwindsor.ca      |   We murder to dissect. -WORDSWORTH, 1798
