From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Sun May 03 1998 - 17:54:38 MDT
From: John K Clark <johnkc@well.com>
> >In contrast, sentience means
the capability to appreciate, enjoy,
> >and otherwise relate to
sensate input.
>
>
>Sensate input are just sensations, so
you're saying sentience means the
>ability to have sensations and the
ability to have sensations means
sentience.
>I don't think you're going to be able
to get much mileage out of that.
Not quite. I said that sentience means
the ability to >relate< to sensate
input, or if you will "sensations." So,
if an entity not only feels sensate
input (sensations), but also relates to
them by, for example, remembering them,
associating them with other sensations,
combining, analyzing, observing, and/or
processing them in any of a variety of
ways, then that complex system of
relations might constitute sentience (or
consciousness).
> >Robots work mechanically,
i.e., within a narrowly constrained area
of
> >action without regard to the
wider aspects of the environment.
>
>
>Present robots certainly do because
present robots are stupid. I see no
>reason why that limitation need be
permanent.
Nor do I. It still remains possible to
differentiate between intelligence and
sentience. Sentient beings can do stupid
things, and highly intelligent entities
may completely lack sentience.
Cheers,
J R
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