It is known, since the times of Descartes, that animals are machines. Because they fulfill their instinctive programs. You can give an animal a new program, which would suppress the instinct – but this would be only another program. An animal is predictable, except for the cases of breakdown. In fact, it is predictable in cases of breakdown too, though, we have not yet learnt to practically predict it, however, the issue has been resolved in theory.
An animal does not have a free choice. In the process of observing the surrounding world, its instincts switch into play; and the one with the highest priority is carried out. The priorities are written down in advance in a separate program, and this program is a substitute of a free will. It imitates free will as well.
Animals and insects express their will, but they have no free will. In the absence of a reflecting mind, their will is only an integral result of the work of programs and instincts.
Continue reading “Civilization. Machines. Specialists. Part Four – Animals”