KARL JASPERS FORUM

TA61 (Andemicael)

Commentary 1

TIME, SPACE, BELIEF, INTELLIGENCE
by Hugh Bone
8 July 2003, posted 22 July 2003

I just read your message to KJF, and forward a few thoughts.

Some years ago, I had the idea that time is an interval between events, and space is an interval between objects.

I think of idea as a concept/ plan vis-a-vis a personal, subjective future. Ideas are tools of human intelligence, and intelligence of other species.

Ideas as tools must be "believed", and believed to be "true" in order to function as tools.

HUMAN INTELLIGENCE

Human intelligence is attained by repetition of events that create memories, a history of experiences. The infant organism is subject to the stimuli its external environment affords the five senses, the basis of human cognition, the source of first-hand experience.

These "samples" of its environment, give "reality" to events and objects. Conscious experience of light and sound repeated in waking moments, becomes images and words.

Repetition confirms the "truth" of first-hand experience - objects and words become ideas, tools of a child's intelligence.

Second-hand experience begins with stories and images conveyed to the child's mind by parents and teachers. Without language(s) including all the languages of the senses and the arts, human experience would be impoverished. Other species have different senses and different modes of communication, warnings of danger being one of the most common.

Second-hand experience must be "understood" and "believed", or it has little value.

INTELLIGENCE OF NATURE

Genes provide what may be called the "intelligence of nature", creating new life and regulating physiological functions for a life-time.

DIVINE INTELLIGENCE

Humans presuppose God or gods and invest them with human intelligence. Other species apparently do not have such capabilities, but if they did, would most likely create divinities in their own image.

INTELLIGENCE OF EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS

Lately there was a news item regarding a NASA plan to send signals to the region of stars (suns) in the Milky Way that are thought to be similar to Earth's Sun, and therefore might possibly contain life. Transmittal of signals was said to require 40 years, and presumably a reply would take equal time. An interesting prospect for future generations of Earthlings.

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Hugh Bone