From: marc_geddes (marc_geddes@yahoo.co.nz)
Date: Sat Jul 06 2002 - 01:22:23 MDT
Multi-dimensional intelligence
Consider the geometry of multiple dimensions as an analogy for mental
abilities. A mind functions on a number of different levels, in the sense
that once abilities in some sphere reach a critical threshold you see the
emergence of qualitatively different behaviour. Thus you could say that
each
new level represents a new dimension of mind.
Putative dimensions of mental existence
1st dimension: Physical sensation
2nd dimension: Emotions
3rd dimension: Abstract reasoning (human level)
Applying this to intelligence, we can see that 'Super human intelligence'
would be the as yet unknown '4th dimension' of mind.
Recursion as the key to intelligence
Lets apply the 'multi dimensional intelligence' theory to try to gain an
insight into some general features of intelligence.
A 1-dimensional object is a line. To draw an equivalent symmetrical 2-D
object, we duplicate the line then draw lines to connect the 'edges' -
forming
a square. Now note that we can actually draw rough representations of
higher
dimensional objects, even though a piece of paper is only 2 dimensional. To
draw the equivalent of a square in 3-dimensions, we simply duplicate the
square, and draw connecting lines between the 'edges' again - we end up with
a
drawing of a cube. We can even gain an insight into what a 4-D object would
look like, even though we as human beings can only see in 3-dimensions. To
draw the 4-D equivalent of a cube we simply duplicate the cube, then draw
connecting lines between the edges again. (The result is a drawing of a
hyper-cube). So: if we have an x-dimensional object and we wish to
represent
its equivalent in x-y dimensions this turns out to be a simple recursive
procedure.
If the analogy is valid, the key properties of higher dimensional
intelligence
arise through recursion also. A brief examination of our understanding of
the
known dimensions of the mind establishes that the idea seems to make sense.
The 1st dimension is physical sensation. Physical sensations are basically
sensations which act as a guide as to whether some current physical
interaction will benefit or harm our physical self should it continue.
'Pain'
signals a possible harmful physical interaction, where as 'Pleasure' signals
a
possible beneficial physical interaction.
The 2nd dimension is emotion. Emotions are sensations which act as a guide
as
to whether some emotional interaction will benefit or harm our emotional
self
should it continue. Negative emotions (for instance fear) signal possible
harmful emotional interaction, where as positive emotions (for instance
excitement) signal possible beneficial emotional interaction.
But what exactly does this mean? A little thought suffices to establish
that
emotions can be thought of as 'predictions' about the lower level (physical)
sensations. (which are themselves predictions). We use physical sensations
to predict a future physical state. But the physical sensations are not
necessarily very accurate. The reason stems from considerations of the
short
term versus the long term. It will sometimes prove appropriate to suffer a
small amount of short term pain in order to reap a larger pleasure in the
long
run. (Example: Exercise). We need a way to gauge the accuracy of physical
sensations: and it appears that emotions are the solution that evolution has
provided us with. Hence emotions should be thought of us 'predictions about
predictions' of our future physical state. This is all very plausible based
on our understanding of physical sensations and emotions. And we can
clearly
see the 'recursive' nature of the two levels of mental experience.
Lets move to the 3rd dimension of human experience: abstract thought.
Abstract thoughts can be thought of as a system of ‘predictions about
predictions about predictions’ of our future physical states.
Positive
abstract thoughts could be said to consist of us using reasoning power to
imagine desired outcomes. (i.e. coming up with successful solutions to
problems we face). Negative abstract thoughts could be said to consist of
us
using reasoning power to imagine outcomes we would like to avoid. (i.e. we
come up with wrong solutions). Positive abstract thoughts are intended to
signal that behaving in the imagined ways will result in positive lower
level
(emotional and physical) sensations in the future. Negative abstract
thoughts
are intended to signal that behaving in imagined ways will result in
negative
lower level (emotional and physical) sensations in the future.
The reason abstract thinking arose was due to the fact that emotional states
are simply not accurate enough to guide future behaviour. Again, this stems
from the tension between short term outcomes and long term outcomes. It is
sometimes desirable to suffer some negative emotions in the short term (for
instance boredom at work) in order to secure a longer duration of positive
emotions in the future (for instance the pleasure arising from being paid
and spending the money). The solution that evolution provided us with was
the power of abstract reasoning. With this we can imagine various general
situations (to varying degrees of abstraction) and predict the outcomes to
our
well-being.
Super human intelligence
We are now in a position to use the multi-dimensional theory of intelligence
to try to gain an insight into what super-human intelligence would look
like.
Recall that super-human intelligence would be the 4th dimension of mental
experience. Thus it should consist of ‘predictions about predictions
about predictions about predictions’ of our future physical states.
Positive ‘super human thoughts’ would act as signals guiding the
lower level thoughts (to accurate chains of reasoning). Similarly negative
‘super human thoughts’ would act as signals warning of invalid
lower level thoughts (useless chains of reasoning).
In order words: When a post-human was utilising the 4th dimension of
intelligence, this would yield automatic knowledge of abstract outcomes
which to us are only obtainable by trail and error. But this is precisely
equivalent to the dictionary definition of precognition! Thus: we can
conclude that if there is a 4th dimension of intelligence, to us ordinary
humans stuck with 3 dimensional reasoning , this 4th dimension would be
indistinguishable from precognition. Post-humans would appear to us
ordinary
humans as beings which could predict the future in ways which would be
inexplicable to us. We should label post-humans as ‘Pre-Cogs’
‘Minority Report’ : Hollywood got it right!
Now in the Steven Speilberg film ‘Minority Report’ , we
encounter
genetically engineered humans with precisely the abilities described above.
Towards the end of the movie there is a striking sequence of scenes
involving
Agatha (the pre-cog) which according to the theory I’m advocating are
actually a perfect representation of how a post-human would act! (These
scenes are when Agatha and Anderton are fleeing the cops through a mall:
watch
the instructions Agatha issues to Anderton which enable the two to escape).
--- This message was posted by marc_geddes to the Extropians 2002 board on ExI BBS. <http://www.extropy.org/bbs/index.php?board=61;action=display;threadid=52329 >
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sat Nov 02 2002 - 09:15:11 MST