Science is a way of conceptualizing the world, but intelligence is elsewhere, in living dynamical systems. The recent discovery concerning the existence of a dynamic regulation system of the genetic vocabulary, called epigenetic, demonstrates how intelligence is ahead of the concept.
I better understand now what alphagruis refutes in Burger, Instincto and Meta. He questions the conceptual tools used to describe them and he is probably right, especially about Meta. But contrary to alphagruis’s point of view, Burger’s experience came before the theory. He simply used the tools available to him at the time of trying to explain it and still goes on adjusting it, like they do in any science fields.
However, in rejecting the reality of instinct and by readily accepting the validity of Raw Paleo diet, all this supported on the recent discovery of epigenetic, alphagruis makes a fundamental logical error. Let me explain:
Epigenetic is a dynamic regulation system but, as demonstrated in the article by Dr. Mae-Wan Ho (Caring Mothers Against Strike Fatal Blow Genetic Determinism), it is qualitatively undifferentiated (garbage in, garbage out). It therefore lacks a dynamic quality control system (higher level).
Hence, if I understand him correctly, alphagruis claims that the actual state of knowledge, along with the trial and error method, is all man has to regulate himself qualitatively, at the very least for his feeding needs. Let me burst into laughter. That would be of boundless wittiness but for the pathos of such a statement.
Nothing is slower and less dynamic than conceptual intelligence. If we had to rely on it to survive as a specie, we wouldn’t be here to talk about it.
After recognizing epigenetic, like an illumination, as gene’s dynamic control system, alphagruis fails to recognise the same principle at work in the instinctive way of choosing food, a highly dynamic quality control system. At the same time, he puts his behind, heavy of contentment, on the static concept (like any diet actually) of paleo-crudivorism. (sorry guys)
I’ll let him get the error for himself ...
Personally I like Alice in Wonderland’s imagery; it perfectly describes the instincto point of view. A while ago, on the other side of the mirror, we already knew that the genetic researches looking to find the faulty genes for every illnesses (except in some rare cases) would fail.
Why?
Because by instincto logic and experience, we already possess a qualitatively dynamical food control system (coded, innate, like any other living dynamic control system) that manages with the genetic, epigenetic and environmental data it has at its disposal, from year to year, from season to season, from environments to environments, from seconds to seconds ... But, like an internal combustion engine carburetor (another kind of dynamic control system), it can only function properly under the conditions for and in which it was developed. To put it bluntly, genetic or epigenetic problems, weaknesses or errors have little meaning, to the extent that instinct is able to act properly and compensate for them.
Now, is instinct easy to use? The answer is NO.
Since none of us were born in an instinctive promoting context, it takes, under proper guidance and in best case scenario, a few weeks in order to reactivate the instinctive link to the environment (food in particular) and, since our civilized brain has a hard time letting go of what it thinks it knows, it probably takes a lifetime to really master its expression.
But this is the ONLY way out of the mess we generated, the only worthy legacy to our children, because it implies and teaches a fluid, non static way of looking and interacting with the world.
So, as you see, there are actually only two alternatives: the sorcerer's apprentice perpetual continuation of trial and error or the rediscovery of the hunter / gatherer’s instinct. But with a civilization of people like alphagruis, I would not bet on the latter’s resurrection chances.
Nevertheless, these recent epigenetic discoveries are another step toward the acceptance and recognition of the existence of living dynamic control systems (some of which are called instincts).
Unfortunately, the worst of applied science is still to come.
