An Inquiry into the Nature of Intelligence

No, because intelligence has the abstract quality of being a property, and when a physical creature can be said to possess that property, then we say that creature is intelligent. However, a property cannot possess a property itself; a property can only be possessed by a distinct entity.

In Simpler Terms

This is a brilliant question. Let’s approach it directly. Intelligence might not be intelligent, and it might mean something different or broader than what we usually associate with it.

I often find myself using the term “clever” when I watch nature documentaries. Species solve problems in their ecological niches, but not through “intelligence” as humans do. Instead, they use cognition, which is a broader term that encompasses their problem-solving abilities without necessarily being intelligent in the human sense.

Widening Our Perspective

To make sense of this, we need to consider a new definition of intelligence. The new definition should include the original definition as a special case and enable us to conceptualize things more broadly.

Different Levels of Organization

Individual versus collective intelligence. Ant colonies and other swarm intelligence do not use cognition in the human sense. Why do we call them “clever?” Perhaps we need to consider embodied cognition and morphological computation.

Embodied Cognition and Morphological Computation

Making tasks easier through the physical properties of a system. For example, our hand design enables us to grasp objects with minimal effort. This concept is crucial in robotics, as seen in the Universal Robot Gripper. Soft robotics is an emerging field that addresses the challenges of grasping and manipulation.

Simplicity versus Complexity

Are simpler non-cognitive solutions to a problem smarter? Take drones that are collision-resistant instead of obstacle avoiding, which requires a lot of computation. They are inspired by flies, which can bump into stuff without issues.

Parasitation of Cognitive Species by Non-cognitive Species

Explaining parasitic relationships between cognitive and non-cognitive species can be seen in Eric Weinstein’s talk on Artificial Intelligence. Non-cognitive entities can sometimes outcompete cognitive ones.

Different Time Scales

Survival strategies can develop within an individual’s lifetime or through natural selection across generations. Is natural selection itself an intelligent algorithm?

The Wider Definition of Intelligence

Intelligence, in this broader view, is “that which benefits survival.” This perspective clears up some problems in the quest for Artificial Intelligence. A simple, non-cognitive solution might outcompete a complex, computationally expensive one in real-world scenarios.

This doesn't trivialize human cognitive ability but highlights the spectrum of solutions available to different organisms. Cognitive solutions may be overkill in some cases, and natural selection treats them dispassionately.

The Human Perspective

Does human cognitive ability benefit the continuation of the human line of descent or not? This is a tougher question. On one hand, cognition has enabled us to adapt and survive. On the other hand, our tools of global impact, driven by cognition, could undermine our existence.

Moreover, our collective “intelligence” in terms of community-building might not function on a global scale to ensure our continued existence. This could lead to a paradox: smart enough to control the planet but not enough to ensure its long-term viability.

Considering this, we might need to re-evaluate our priorities. Rather than looking to those promising Mars, we should focus on those who can bridge the gaps and offer moral clarity for a global community.