Algorithms behind the fight-or-flight response?ThomasHobbes wrote: ↑August 30th, 2018, 5:25 pmWhat would be a good algorithm to know when to step on a bug.
Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
- Sy Borg
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15002
- Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
- ThomasHobbes
- Posts: 1122
- Joined: May 5th, 2018, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
20 Gosub "bug ident"
30 rem Dangerous, Bg=1; Endangered species, Bg=2, Vermin, Bg=3
40 If bg=1 THEN run away
50 IF bg=2 THEN GOTO 100
60 IF Bg=3 THEN squish
100 If see new bug then GOTO 20 Else carry on walking.
- Sy Borg
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15002
- Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
A suggested addition:
5 Count = 1
15 If N > 0 Then 25
25 If bug is interesting then 10
The loop continues until overridden by another algorithm :)
-
- Posts: 10339
- Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
1. Infinite loops
2. The apparent absence of what most people consider to be the elements of ethics
Infinite loops are an interesting one. Humans don't generally get stuck in infinite loops of behaviour (except possibly when they get stuck for years on philosophy forums) because we have the valuable mechanism of boredom. The behaviours of some simpler creatures don't seem to have that. They often seem capable of repeating the same behaviour indefinitely until something in the external environment (e.g. getting squished) changes their behaviour.
And neither of those versions of the code have a line which amounts to: "don't squish the bug because I anthropomorphize it, then empathize with it, then assign it rights" or: "don't squish the bug because I have a general principle that, other things being equal, the destruction of life is a negative thing" or perhaps "I have a general principle that the infliction of suffering should be avoided and I think bugs are capable of suffering".
Maybe a couple of extra cases would do. Bg=4; Wriggles when squished in a way that is reminiscent of a human in pain, Bg=5; Looks kinda cute, like it should be in an animated movie.
Perhaps the cities that survive and thrive best are the ones that are not averse to stepping on some humans if they deem it necessary, as illustrated by various loconic, deadpan, Raymond Chandler-esque statements about cities mostly delivered by Bogart.Greta wrote:This brings a new question to mind: Re: Do cities think stepping on humans is right or wrong- why?
- Sy Borg
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15002
- Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
Maybe some if/then statements ascertaining whether an entity moves in a manner that could be interpreted as volition and some more to determine whether the person was empathic enough for that to matter?
- ThomasHobbes
- Posts: 1122
- Joined: May 5th, 2018, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
https://scarriet.files.wordpress.com/20 ... mage4.jpeg
- ThomasHobbes
- Posts: 1122
- Joined: May 5th, 2018, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
'oaky' is okay
- Thrylix
- Posts: 70
- Joined: January 11th, 2014, 2:42 am
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
- Sy Borg
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15002
- Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
So might that leave our prettiness as the sole quality standing between us and the great boot of fate? I'd best start packing ... :)
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 6105
- Joined: September 11th, 2016, 2:11 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
There is a difference in scale between stepping on small insects and killing mountain goats in Scotland for fun but both activities seem to originate in the desire to control unto death.
BTW did any one read about that horrible American woman who did just that and apparently feels no remorse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-45967845
-
- Posts: 436
- Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
Words fail me.Belindi wrote: ↑October 25th, 2018, 5:43 am It depends on why you step on the small creature. I am bemused by the disrespectful term 'bugs'.
There is a difference in scale between stepping on small insects and killing mountain goats in Scotland for fun but both activities seem to originate in the desire to control unto death.
BTW did any one read about that horrible American woman who did just that and apparently feels no remorse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-45967845
The photograph of her and the stag looks stunningly beautiful - until you realise it is dead and she glories in it. She couldn't wait to eat it.
No doubt that proud head will be hanging on her walls. Pity she will never hang her head in shame. Or have criminal charges brought against her.
It's not illegal, apparently...
Time it was.
- LuckyR
- Moderator
- Posts: 7940
- Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
-
- Posts: 10339
- Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
Belindi and Georgeanna, I'm interested to know exactly what it is about that story of a huntress posing with her dead quarry that appals you. Is it one thing or a combination of things? Is it the revelling in death? is it the idea of taking pleasure in killing? Or is it more practical things like the potential danger to the species being hunted? Are you influenced at all by the recent news that we humans have now succeeded in killing off 60% of all the animals in the world? (Up from 40% in the last major news story that I read about this subject.)Belindi wrote:BTW did any one read about that horrible American woman who did just that and apparently feels no remorse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-45967845
If it's those more practical considerations, would you be swayed by an argument that culling individuals of a particular species doesn't necessarily create an existential threat to that particular species as a whole?
-
- Posts: 10339
- Joined: June 15th, 2011, 5:53 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
-
- Posts: 436
- Joined: October 29th, 2017, 1:17 pm
Re: Do you think stepping on bugs is right or wrong- why?
It was an instantaneous revulsion at viewing a 'hardcore huntress' grinning in psychopathic glee as she posed beside her beautiful stag which looked alive, despite being very dead. I wasn't thinking of the danger to the species. As to culling - I think that depends on the reasons and how it is carried out.Steve3007 wrote: ↑November 1st, 2018, 5:31 amBelindi and Georgeanna, I'm interested to know exactly what it is about that story of a huntress posing with her dead quarry that appals you. Is it one thing or a combination of things? Is it the revelling in death? is it the idea of taking pleasure in killing? Or is it more practical things like the potential danger to the species being hunted? Are you influenced at all by the recent news that we humans have now succeeded in killing off 60% of all the animals in the world? (Up from 40% in the last major news story that I read about this subject.)Belindi wrote:BTW did any one read about that horrible American woman who did just that and apparently feels no remorse?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland- ... s-45967845
If it's those more practical considerations, would you be swayed by an argument that culling individuals of a particular species doesn't necessarily create an existential threat to that particular species as a whole?
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023