> Enzymes and viruses don't have desires and I've heard it described/analogized this way by far too many biology professors.
But it's such a useful mental model. It allows you to gloss over irrelevant low-level details while focusing on the aspects of the complex emergent system that are actually relevant.
> I'm not implying in any way that biology is easy
This is what saying it's 'just' emergent behavior comes off as, though. I understand (and agree with) your perspective, but being a little more tactical with your word use can head off pointless (as opposed to interesting) arguments.
Sure thing. When I posted that, I didn't even consider the possibility that it might be interpreted the way you stated, so I will attempt to assess my future posts in advance for potentially unfriendly perspectives.
But it's such a useful mental model. It allows you to gloss over irrelevant low-level details while focusing on the aspects of the complex emergent system that are actually relevant.
> I'm not implying in any way that biology is easy
This is what saying it's 'just' emergent behavior comes off as, though. I understand (and agree with) your perspective, but being a little more tactical with your word use can head off pointless (as opposed to interesting) arguments.