A Response Policy

From "Self Comes to Mind"
For each open thermodynamic system intent on optimizing homeostatic processes there exists a response policy. The response follows an expectation elided from an experience with the cosmic environment [cit. Claude Benard]. The response policy depends upon means for homeostatic fitness or efficient and effective interactions with other open systems.

Aristotle Who?

Starting at the level of single cell animals (plants do not have neurons), the response policy dictates the moves in design space. That is, algorithmic unfolding of telos. Telos is greek for intended 'ends' or outcomes or results. This is one of the four causes of Aristotle for each mental 'thing in itself'. Teleology is the study of intended results.

The response policy of the lower layers (cells) supports the upper layers (multiple cells of multiple types with neurons) with an ensemble of dispositions from the various parts, each possessing a response policy acting alone or in concert. At the level of large mammals, brain function emerges from and is linked to the response policy in many layers beneath the objective self of the actor. Imagine a cheetah on the savannah. The cheetah definitely has an objective self - a lump of biomass with intentions to take down zebras for dinner.

The subjective cheetah self seems to exist to fully support 'cheetah-ness'. In which case the cheetah has a response policy - run like the wind and catch zebras for supper. This response maintains homeostatis by making good predictions about what happens next.

If a burst of speed is called for a burst of speed results. If a quick cut to match an evasive manuever is called for that may be the response. Whatever the case, the response policy at many layers works in concert to produce a cheetah-like response.




Motivated Experimentation - why I move through design space.