Monday Crow Blogging

Crows, Alpenglow - Bishop  2023

7:00 AM, walking around Bishop. Taken with a Canon G5XIII. 

Do crows have free will? That's the question that hasn't been discussed enough, I feel. For example, in this photo most of the crows are at the dumpster. One is off to the side, four are on the overhead wire, and one is on the roof. Is this arrangement hierarchical, random, somehow brought about by a special crow algorithm? Or did the birds freely decide on their own where they should place themselves?

I've already asked ChatGPT to weigh in on the subject. Here's another try, this time bringing humans into the mix:

The question of free will is a complex and debated topic in philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology. The concept of free will refers to the ability of individuals to make choices and decisions independent of external constraints or deterministic forces.

In the case of humans, the debate about free will often involves discussions about the nature of consciousness, determinism, and the role of biology and environment in shaping behavior. Some argue that humans have free will, while others posit that our choices are ultimately determined by factors such as genetics, upbringing, and societal influences. It's important to note that perspectives on free will can vary among philosophers, scientists, and scholars.

As for crows, the question is different because animals are generally not attributed with the same level of cognitive complexity as humans. While animals, including crows, exhibit intelligent behaviors and problem-solving abilities, the philosophical concept of free will is often associated with higher-order cognitive processes that may be more developed in humans.

In both cases, discussions about free will often intersect with debates about consciousness, determinism, and the nature of decision-making. The answers to these questions are not clear-cut, and opinions may vary depending on one's philosophical, scientific, or religious beliefs.

I've heard it said the ChatGPT is a kind of advanced Autocorrect. Maybe so, but this is quite impressive!