A|DT Physics|NNP of|IN Semantics|NNP ?|. 
Each|DT of|IN the|DT chapters|NNS of|IN Investigations|NNP broaches|NNS new|JJ territory|NN .|. 
Each|DT is|VBZ tentative|JJ and|CC incomplete|JJ ,|, pointing|VBG but|CC not|RB fully|RB adequate|JJ .|. 
Yet|RB ,|, I|PRP persistently|RB hope|VBP ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ better|JJR to|TO light|VB one|CD candle|NN against|IN .|. .|. .|. what|WP ?|. the|DT darkness|NNS ?|. the|DT veil|NN beyond|IN which|WDT we|PRP have|VBP had|VBN no|DT framework|NN of|IN questions|NNS before|RP ?|. 
There|EX are|VBP grounds|NNS ,|, reasoned|VBD about|IN by|IN the|DT best|JJS of|IN philosophers|NNS and|CC scientists|NNS of|IN the|DT past|JJ several|JJ centuries|NNS ,|, to|TO doubt|VB a|DT physics|NN of|IN semantics|NNS .|. 
We|PRP are|VBP on|IN shaky|JJ ground|NN .|. 
Yet|RB when|WRB the|DT first|JJ hard|JJ frost|NN comes|VBZ ,|, when|WRB the|DT birches|NNS have|VBP been|VBN swung|VBN ,|, their|PRP$ crimson|JJ leaves|VBZ scattered|VBN carelessly|RB ,|, when|WRB crystals|NNS splint|NN shallow|JJ ponds|NNS and|CC old|JJ egrets|NNS stand|VBP dark|JJ watch|NN the|DT coming|VBG dawn|NN ,|, long-legged|JJ ,|, knowing|VBG how|WRB winter|NN is|VBZ thin|JJ ,|, when|WRB the|DT first|JJ phase|NN transition|NN of|IN water|NN to|TO ice|NN forms|NNS slight|JJ solidity|NN across|IN meadow|NN streams|NNS ,|, small|JJ creatures|NNS of|IN flesh|NN and|CC concept|NN tiptoe|VB gingerly|RB to|TO some|DT far|JJ side|NN where|WRB ,|, perhaps|RB ,|, something|NN new|JJ is|VBZ to|TO be|VB found|VBN .|. 

We|PRP have|VBP lacked|VBN a|DT physical|JJ definition|NN of|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN ,|, able|JJ to|TO manipulate|VB the|DT universe|NN on|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ behalfthe|NN egret|NN whose|WP$ foreboding|VBG of|IN winter|NN leads|VBZ to|TO lifted|VBN wing|NN and|CC steady|JJ ,|, powerful|JJ flight|NN .|. 
The|DT egret|NN is|VBZ as|IN much|JJ a|DT part|NN of|IN physical|JJ reality|NN as|IN the|DT atom|NN ,|, and|CC perhaps|RB more|JJR than|IN the|DT vaunted|JJ quark|NN .|. 
But|CC autonomous|JJ agents|NNS ,|, we|PRP who|WP do|VBP daily|RB manipulate|VB the|DT world|NN on|IN our|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN ,|, we|PRP to|TO whom|WP "|'' intentionality|NN "|'' and|CC "|'' purpose|NN "|'' are|VBP so|RB inevitably|RB attributed|VBN by|IN our|PRP$ common|JJ languages|NNS ,|, we|PRP are|VBP ,|, by|IN my|PRP$ definition|NN of|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS ,|, also|RB nothing|NN but|CC physical|JJ systems|NNS with|IN a|DT peculiar|JJ organization|NN of|IN processes|NNS and|CC properties|NNS .|. 
If|IN the|DT concept|NN of|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS were|VBD something|NN like|IN a|DT usefu|JJ or|CC more|JJR ,|, a|DT proper|JJ definition|NN of|IN life|NN itself|PRP ,|, then|RB autonomous|JJ agents|NNS span|VBP the|DT gap|NN from|IN the|DT merely|RB physical|JJ to|TO that|DT new|JJ realm|NN of|IN the|DT merely|RB physical|JJ where|WRB "|'' purpose|NN "|'' is|VBZ ascribed|VBN by|IN all|DT of|IN us|PRP to|TO one|CD another|DT .|. 

Semantics|NNP enters|VBZ with|IN purpose|NN .|. 
For|IN this|DT to|TO be|VB true|JJ ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ not|RB necessary|JJ that|IN the|DT carriers|NNS of|IN purpose|NN ,|, say|VB ,|, the|DT same|JJ bacterium|NN heading|VBG upstream|RB in|IN the|DT glucose|NN gradient|NN ,|, be|VB conscious|JJ .|. 

I|PRP hope|VBP my|PRP$ definition|NN of|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN is|VBZ useful|JJ ,|, an|DT autocatalytic|JJ system|NN carrying|VBG out|RP a|DT work|NN cycle|NN ,|, now|RB rather|RB broadened|VBN by|IN the|DT realization|NN that|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS also|RB do|VBP often|RB detect|VB and|CC measure|VB and|CC record|NN displacements|NNS of|IN external|JJ systems|NNS from|IN equilibrium|NN that|WDT can|MD be|VB used|VBN to|TO extract|VB work|NN ,|, then|RB do|VBP extract|VB work|NN ,|, propagating|VBG work|NN and|CC constraint|NN construction|NN ,|, from|IN their|PRP$ environment|NN .|. 

Know-how|NNP 
Bring|NNP ourselves|PRP empathetically|RB and|CC objectively|RB back|RB three|CD billion|CD years|NNS to|TO the|DT mixed|JJ microbial|NN community|NN flourishing|JJ right|NN about|IN where|WRB most|JJS of|IN us|PRP are|VBP now|RB ,|, plus|CC or|CC minus|CC a|DT modicum|NN of|IN layers|NNS of|IN surface|NN crustal|NN material|NN .|. 

I|PRP want|VBP to|TO say|VB that|IN the|DT autonomous|JJ agents|NNS comprising|VBG that|DT community|NN had|VBD ,|, individually|RB and|CC collectively|RB ,|, the|DT embodied|VBN know-how|NN to|TO get|VB on|IN with|IN making|VBG a|DT living|NN in|IN the|DT natural|JJ games|NNS that|WDT constituted|VBD their|PRP$ world|NN .|. 
Indeed|RB ,|, as|IN I|PRP have|VBP emphasized|VBN before|RB ,|, a|DT biosphere|NN is|VBZ a|DT self-consistent|JJ coconstruction|NN of|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS ,|, ways|NNS of|IN making|VBG a|DT living|NN ,|, and|CC the|DT search|NN procedures|NNS ,|, mutation|NN ,|, recombination|NN ,|, as|RB well|RB as|IN behavioral|JJ search|NN open|JJ to|TO autonomous|JJ agents|NNS .|. 
Those|DT means|NNS of|IN making|VBG a|DT living|NN that|WDT were|VBD well|RB searched|VBD out|IN and|CC mastered|VBN by|IN the|DT agents|NNS and|CC their|PRP$ search|NN procedures|NNS became|VBD the|DT kinds|NNS of|IN "|'' jobs|NNS "|'' that|WDT were|VBD widely|RB filled|VBN ,|, the|DT abundant|JJ niches|NNS of|IN the|DT bio-sphere|JJ .|. 
There|RB is|VBZ in|IN this|DT whole|JJ self-constructing|JJ system|NN a|DT wider|JJR know-how|NN ,|, beyond|IN the|DT know-how|NN of|IN any|DT single|JJ autonomous|JJ agent|NN spinning|JJ eagerly|RB in|IN its|PRP$ microenvironment|NN .|. 
Yet|RB ,|, clearly|RB ,|, the|DT know-how|NN is|VBZ distributed|VBN .|. 
There|EX is|VBZ no|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN ,|, no|DT one|CD ,|, who|WP knows|VBZ how|WRB the|DT whole|JJ system|NN works|VBZ ,|, any|DT more|JJR than|IN anyone|NN at|IN present|JJ knows|VBZ how|WRB the|DT global|JJ economic|JJ system|NN works|VBZ in|IN its|PRP$ myriad|JJ interactions|NNS ,|, deals|NNS ,|, steals|VBZ ,|, hopes|VBZ ,|, and|CC frustrations|NNS .|. 

What|WP in|IN the|DT world|NN is|VBZ "|'' know-how|NN "|'' ?|. 
Philosophers|NNP distinguish|VB between|IN "|'' know-how|NN "|'' and|CC "|'' know|VB that|DT .|. "|'' 
I|PRP know|VBP how|WRB to|TO tie|VB my|PRP$ shoes|NNS and|CC am|VBP learning|VBG how|WRB to|TO play|VB jazz|NN drums|NNS .|. 
"|'' Know|VBP that|IN "|'' concerns|NNS propositions|NNS ,|, most|RBS conveniently|RB ,|, human|JJ propositions|NNS .|. 
I|PRP know|VBP that|IN the|DT moon|NN isthey|NN tell|VB menot|NN made|VBN of|IN green|JJ cheese|NN .|. 
I|PRP know|VBP that|IN the|DT earth|NN circles|VBZ the|DT sun|NN ,|, that|IN the|DT earth|NN is|VBZ roughly|RB spherical|JJ ,|, that|IN chairs|NNS are|VBP used|VBN to|TO sit|VB on|IN .|. 
"|'' Know|VBP that|IN "|'' brings|VBZ with|IN it|PRP the|DT standard|NN and|CC nonstandard|NN issues|NNS of|IN the|DT truth|NN or|CC falseness|NN of|IN propositions|NNS as|IN they|PRP report|VBP states|NNS of|IN the|DT world|NN .|. 
Perhaps|RB higher|JJR primates|NNS who|WP are|VBP trained|VBN to|TO manipulate|VB simple|JJ symbols|NNS with|IN apparent|JJ reference|NN to|TO the|DT world|NN also|RB can|MD "|'' know|VB that|IN "|'' with|IN respect|NN to|TO propositions|NNS .|. 

Unlike|IN "|'' know|VB that|RB ,|, "|'' "|'' know-how|NN "|'' does|VBZ not|RB involve|VB propositions|NNS about|IN the|DT world|NN .|. 
"|'' Know-how|NNP "|'' involves|VBZ procedural|JJ knowledge|NN about|IN how|WRB to|TO get|VB on|IN in|IN the|DT world|NN .|. 
The|DT cheetah|NN streaking|VBG after|IN the|DT wildebeest|NN ,|, the|DT athletic|JJ genius|NN high|JJ jumping|VBG ,|, have|VBP the|DT know-how|NN to|TO do|VB it|PRP .|. 

Does|VBZ a|DT bacterium|NN know|VB how|WRB to|TO make|VB a|DT living|VBG in|IN its|PRP$ world|NN ?|. 
I|PRP certainly|RB want|VBP to|TO say|VB yes|UH ,|, without|IN attributing|VBG consciousness|NN in|IN any|DT way|NN .|. 
Watch|NNP the|DT myriad|JJ subtle|JJ turnings|NNS on|IN and|CC o|NN of|IN genes|NNS ,|, metabolic|JJ switching|NN ,|, mechanical|JJ twitching|VBG ,|, sensing|VBG of|IN glucose|NN gradient|NN ,|, swimming|NN and|CC tumbling|VBG upstream|RB to|TO higher|JJR glucose|NN concentrations|NNS .|. 
It|PRP knows|VBZ how|WRB all|DT right|NN ,|, even|RB if|IN it|PRP cannot|NN talk|NN about|IN how|WRB it|PRP gets|VBZ on|IN with|IN its|PRP$ business|NN .|. 
But|CC then|RB ,|, try|VB to|TO talk|VB about|IN tying|VBG your|PRP$ shoes|NNS or|CC the|DT skilled|JJ driving|NN when|WRB you|PRP become|VBP aware|JJ some|DT dozens|NNS of|IN miles|NNS down|RP the|DT road|NN that|IN you|PRP have|VBP accomplished|VBN the|DT tasks|NNS without|IN paying|VBG the|DT slightest|JJS focused|VBN attention|NN .|. 

Thank|VB God|NNP for|IN know-how|NN .|. 
Know|VBP that|WDT is|VBZ a|DT thin|JJ veneer|NN on|IN a|DT four-billion-year-old|JJ know-how|NN skill|NN abundant|JJ in|IN the|DT biosphere|NN .|. 
But|CC any|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN proliferating|VBG alone|RB or|CC in|IN a|DT congery|NN of|IN other|JJ agents|NNS ,|, it|PRP would|MD seem|VB ,|, is|VBZ also|RB graced|JJ by|IN the|DT selfsame|NN know-how|NN .|. 
If|IN we|PRP synthesize|VB autonomous|JJ agents|NNS in|IN the|DT next|JJ decades|NNS and|CC they|PRP coevolve|NN under|IN our|PRP$ rapt|NN gaze|VBP over|IN months|NNS or|CC years|NNS into|IN a|DT modestly|RB complex|JJ ecosystem|NN brimming|VBG with|IN novel|NN life|NN forms|NNS ,|, they|PRP too|RB will|MD know|VB how|WRB to|TO make|VB a|DT living|VBG in|IN their|PRP$ mutually|RB created|VBN world|NN plus|CC the|DT boundary|NN conditions|NNS we|PRP more|JJR or|CC less|RBR intelligently|RB impose|VB on|IN them|PRP .|. 

The|DT know-how|NN is|VBZ ,|, in|IN these|DT terms|NNS ,|, nothing|NN but|CC another|DT view|NN of|IN the|DT propagating|VBG closures|NNS of|IN catalysis|NNS ,|, work|NN tasks|NNS ,|, sensing|VBG ,|, recording|NN ,|, and|CC acting|VBG that|IN we|PRP now|RB recognize|VBP as|IN inherent|JJ in|IN the|DT doings|NNS of|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS .|. 
The|DT know-how|NN is|VBZ not|RB outside|IN that|DT propagating|VBG organization|NN .|. 
The|DT know-how|NN is|VBZ the|DT propagating|VBG organization|NN .|. 

Semantics|NNP 
All|DT of|IN which|WDT brings|VBZ us|PRP ,|, inevitably|RB ,|, to|TO the|DT brink|NN of|IN semantics|NNS .|. 

It|PRP is|VBZ simple|JJ at|IN its|PRP$ roots|NNS ,|, you|PRP see|VBP .|. 
An|DT incoming|JJ molecular|JJ species|NNS arriving|VBG in|IN the|DT interior|NN of|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN really|RB is|VBZ (|( i|NNP )|) food|NN ;|: (|( ii|NN )|) poison|NN ;|: (|( iii|NN )|) a|DT signal|NN ;|: (|( iv|NN )|) neutral|JJ ;|: (|( v|NN )|) something|NN else|RB .|. 

Once|RB there|EX is|VBZ an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN ,|, there|EX is|VBZ a|DT semantics|NNS from|IN its|PRP$ privileged|JJ point|NN of|IN view|NN .|. 
The|DT incoming|JJ molecule|NN is|VBZ "|'' yuck|NN "|'' or|CC "|'' yum|NN .|. "|'' 
I|PRP think|VBP the|DT major|JJ conceptual|JJ step|NN to|TO yuck|NN or|CC yum|NN is|VBZ unavoidable|JJ once|RB there|EX is|VBZ an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN .|. 
And|CC I|PRP think|VBP we|PRP have|VBP roughly|RB the|DT Darwinian|JJ criteria|NNS in|IN mind|NN .|. 
If|IN yum|NN ,|, then|RB there|EX will|MD probably|RB be|VB more|JJR of|IN this|DT type|NN of|IN agent|NN ,|, osprings|NNS of|IN the|DT first|JJ .|. 
If|IN yuck|NN ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ not|RB so|RB likely|JJ this|DT lineage|NN will|MD prosper|VB .|. 

Once|RB yuck|NN and|CC yum|NN ,|, we|PRP are|VBP not|RB far|RB from|IN C.|NN S.|NN Pierce|NNP 's|POS meaning-laden|JJ semiotic|JJ triad|NN :|: sign|NN ,|, signified|VBD ,|, significans|NNS .|. 
Like|IN it|PRP or|CC not|RB ,|, the|DT glucose|NN gradient|NN is|VBZ a|DT sign|NN ,|, a|DT predictor|NN ,|, of|IN "|'' more|JJR glucose|NN that|DT way|NN .|. "|'' 
Granted|NNP ,|, the|DT glucose|NN is|VBZ not|RB an|DT arbitrary|JJ symbol|NN ,|, any|DT more|JJR than|IN a|DT cloud|NN is|VBZ an|DT arbitrary|JJ symbol|NN of|IN rain|NN .|. 
In|IN this|DT restricted|JJ sense|NN ,|, signs|NNS are|VBP causally|RB correlated|JJ with|IN that|DT which|WDT is|VBZ signified|VBD .|. 
By|IN contrast|NN ,|, the|DT relation|NN between|IN the|DT word|NN "|'' chair|NN "|'' and|CC that|IN which|WDT it|PRP signifies|NNS ,|, and|CC on|IN which|WDT I|PRP am|VBP now|RB sitting|VBG ,|, is|VBZ arbitrary|JJ .|. 
But|CC can|MD chemical|NN signals|NNS in|IN bacterial|JJ and|CC plant|NN and|CC human|JJ communities|NNS be|VB arbitrary|JJ from|IN a|DT chemical|NN causal|NN point|NN of|IN view|NN ?|. 
If|IN so|IN ,|, can|MD "|'' mere|JJ chemicals|NNS "|'' be|VB signs|NNS in|IN the|DT full|JJ Piercean|NNP sense|NN ?|. 

I|PRP believe|VBP it|PRP is|VBZ clear|JJ that|IN mere|JJ chemistry|NN in|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN can|MD harbor|NN symbols|NNS and|CC signs|NNS in|IN the|DT full|JJ senses|NNS of|IN the|DT words|NNS .|. 
Consider|VB first|JJ the|DT famous|JJ genetic|JJ code|NN .|. 
Triplets|NNP of|IN nucleotides|NNS in|IN an|DT RNA|NNP molecule|NN stand|NN for|IN specific|JJ amino|JJ acids|NNS that|WDT will|MD end|VB up|RB incorporated|VBD into|IN a|DT protein|NN .|. 
The|DT detailed|VBN causal|NN machinery|NN involves|VBZ transfer|VB RNA|NNP molecules|NNS with|IN their|PRP$ anticodon|NN site|NN and|CC the|DT distant|JJ site|NN to|TO which|WDT amino|JJ acids|NNS are|VBP attached|VBN ,|, the|DT aminoacyle|NN transferase|NN enzymes|NNS that|WDT charge|NN the|DT amino|JJ acid|NN binding|JJ site|NN of|IN each|DT transfer|NN RNA|NNP with|IN the|DT proper|JJ amino|JJ acid|NN among|IN the|DT twenty|CD amino|JJ acids|NNS ,|, the|DT binding|VBG of|IN the|DT charged|VBN transfer|NN RNA|NNP 's|POS anticodon|NN site|NN to|TO the|DT proper|JJ RNA|NNP code|NN word|NN triplet|NN ,|, the|DT ribosome|NN that|IN glides|NNS between|IN adjacent|JJ charged|VBN transfer|VB RNA|NNP molecules|NNS and|CC links|VBZ the|DT successive|JJ amino|JJ acids|NNS into|IN the|DT growing|VBG polypeptide|NN chain|NN that|WDT hangs|VBZ free|JJ in|IN the|DT cytoplasm|NN ,|, tethered|VBN by|IN the|DT ribosome|NN to|TO the|DT messenger|NN RNA|NNP molecule|NN as|IN it|PRP is|VBZ "|'' translated|VBN .|. "|'' 

The|DT arbitrariness|NNS of|IN the|DT genetic|JJ code|NN is|VBZ exemplified|VBN by|IN the|DT evolution|NN of|IN novel|NN transfer|NN RNA|NNP molecules|NNS ,|, which|WDT translate|VBP a|DT given|VBN messenger|NN RNA|NNP code|NN word|NN triplet|NN into|IN a|DT dierent|NN amino|JJ acid|NN .|. 
As|IN J.|NN Monod|NNP properly|RB emphasized|VBD three|CD decades|NNS ago|RB in|IN a|DT slightly|RB dierent|NN context|NN concerning|VBG activation|NN and|CC inhibition|NN of|IN enzymes|NNS at|IN allosteric|JJ sites|NNS on|IN the|DT enzyme|NN that|WDT are|VBP distant|JJ from|IN the|DT catalytic|JJ site|NN ,|, the|DT relation|NN of|IN chemical|NN structures|NNS that|WDT achieve|VBP control|NN of|IN catalysis|NNS are|VBP utterly|RB arbitrary|JJ with|IN respect|NN to|TO the|DT chemical|NN structures|NNS that|WDT undergo|VBP the|DT catalysis|NNS .|. 
The|DT same|JJ is|VBZ true|JJ of|IN the|DT transfer|NN RNA|NNP where|WRB the|DT anticodon|NN site|NN is|VBZ distant|JJ from|IN the|DT amino|JJ acid|NN binding|JJ site|NN .|. 
Because|IN of|IN this|DT ,|, which|WDT amino|JJ acid|NN is|VBZ charged|VBN onto|IN a|DT particular|JJ transfer|NN RNA|NNP is|VBZ utterly|RB arbitrary|JJ and|CC controlled|VBN by|IN the|DT aminoacyle|NN transferase|NN enzyme|NN that|WDT does|VBZ the|DT charging|NN ,|, plus|CC the|DT structure|NN of|IN the|DT amino|JJ acid|NN binding|JJ site|NN on|IN the|DT transfer|NN RNA|NNP .|. 
Both|DT of|IN these|DT can|MD be|VB altered|VBN without|IN altering|VBG the|DT anticodon-codon|JJ matching|NN mechanism|NN .|. 
In|IN short|JJ ,|, chemistry|NN allows|VBZ arbitrary|JJ organizations|NNS of|IN control|NN relations|NNS .|. 

It|PRP seems|VBZ fully|RB legitimate|JJ to|TO assign|VB the|DT concepts|NNS of|IN sign|NN ,|, signified|VBD ,|, and|CC significans|NNS to|TO the|DT genetic|JJ code|NN .|. 
It|PRP seems|VBZ legitimate|JJ to|TO extend|VB that|DT notion|NN to|TO much|JJ of|IN the|DT subtle|JJ signaling|VBG ,|, chemical|NN and|CC otherwise|RB ,|, within|IN and|CC between|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS ,|, as|IN exemplified|VBN by|IN plants|NNS that|IN upon|IN infestation|NN by|IN a|DT particular|JJ insect|NN secrete|NN a|DT secondary|JJ metabolite|NN chemical|NN that|IN "|'' warns|VBZ "|'' other|JJ members|NNS of|IN the|DT same|JJ species|NNS that|IN an|DT insect|NN infestation|NN is|VBZ happening|VBG and|CC to|TO turn|VB on|RP defensive|JJ anti-insect|JJ secondary|JJ metabolites|NNS .|. 

The|DT calculus|JJ that|WDT is|VBZ Claude|NNP Shannon|NNP 's|POS elegant|JJ information|NN theory|NN has|VBZ always|RB been|VBN about|IN reduction|NN of|IN uncertainty|NN about|IN the|DT statistics|NNS of|IN the|DT source|NN of|IN a|DT set|NN of|IN symbols|NNS .|. 
Nowhere|RB in|IN the|DT core|NN of|IN Shannon|NNP 's|POS work|NN concerning|VBG the|DT encoding|VBG and|CC transmission|NN of|IN information|NN does|VBZ the|DT meaning|NN ,|, or|CC semantics|NNS ,|, of|IN the|DT information|NN enter|VB .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ no|DT criticism|NN ,|, and|CC is|VBZ widely|RB known|VBN and|CC appreciated|VBN .|. 
There|EX is|VBZ ,|, however|RB ,|, just|RB a|DT hint|NN of|IN semantics|NNS in|IN Shannon|NNP 's|POS view|NN that|IN the|DT semantics|NNS resides|VBZ in|IN the|DT "|'' decoder|NN .|. "|'' 

I|PRP cannot|NN buy|NN Shannon|NNP 's|POS view|NN unless|IN the|DT decoder|NN is|VBZ an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN .|. 
If|IN not|RB ,|, then|RB the|DT decoder|NN merely|RB transforms|VBZ a|DT bit|NN string|NN sent|VBD along|IN a|DT communication|NN channel|NN into|IN some|DT other|JJ discrete|JJ or|CC continuous|JJ dynamicsperhaps|NNS a|DT set|NN of|IN water-filled|JJ bowls|VBZ is|VBZ drained|VBN by|IN turning|VBG on|IN a|DT machine|NN that|WDT opens|VBZ valves|NNS between|IN the|DT bowls|VBZ and|CC to|TO the|DT outside|JJ world|NN in|IN particular|JJ ways|NNS .|. 
The|DT patterns|NNS of|IN bowl|NN drainage|NN upon|IN receipt|NN of|IN the|DT binary|JJ string|NN messages|NNS sent|VBD along|IN the|DT communication|NN channel|NN constitutes|VBZ the|DT decoding|VBG .|. 

But|CC if|IN the|DT recipient|NN is|VBZ an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN such|JJ as|IN a|DT bacterium|NN and|CC the|DT incoming|JJ molecule|NN is|VBZ a|DT symbol-sign|JJ of|IN a|DT paramecium|NN or|CC an|DT amoeba|NN on|IN the|DT roam|VBP and|CC the|DT bacterium|NN swims|NNS away|RB and|CC avoids|VBZ becoming|VBG dinner|NN ,|, that|DT sequence|NN of|IN events|NNS seems|VBZ laden|JJ with|IN semantics|NNS .|. 
If|IN only|RB the|DT bacterium|NN could|MD tell|VB us|PRP :|: "|'' Did|VBD you|PRP see|VBP that|DT truck|NN of|IN a|DT paramecium|NN coming|VBG at|IN me|PRP ?|. 
I|PRP 've|VBP run|VBN into|IN that|DT one|CD before|RB !|. 
I|PRP ducked|JJ under|IN a|DT boulder|NN ,|, and|CC he|PRP never|RB sensed|VBD me|PRP .|. 
I|PRP made|VBD it|PRP home|NN .|. 
Pass|NNP me|PRP some|DT more|JJR glucose|NN please|VB ,|, Martha|NNP .|. "|'' 

I|PRP will|MD return|VB in|IN the|DT next|JJ chapter|NN to|TO discuss|VB such|JJ stories|NNS ,|, for|IN I|PRP will|MD say|VB that|IN we|PRP cannot|NN prestate|NN the|DT configuration|NN space|NN of|IN a|DT biosphere|NN and|CC ,|, therefore|RB ,|, cannot|NN deduce|NN that|IN which|WDT will|MD unfold|VB .|. 
Thus|RB ,|, among|IN other|JJ things|NNS ,|, we|PRP must|MD tell|VB stories|NNS to|TO understand|VB the|DT oriented|VBN actions|NNS of|IN agents|NNS in|IN their|PRP$ worlds|NNS .|. 
Do|VBP not|RB be|VB overly|RB quick|JJ to|TO accuse|VB me|PRP of|IN anthropomorphizing|VBG .|. 
I|PRP too|RB know|VBP the|DT risks|NNS ,|, including|VBG the|DT common|JJ claim|NN that|IN we|PRP can|MD always|RB in|IN principle|NN translate|VB from|IN "|'' intentional|JJ talk|NN "|'' to|TO the|DT fully|RB predictive|JJ causal|NN account|NN of|IN the|DT events|NNS in|IN question|NN .|. 
But|CC patience|NN .|. 
Not|RB only|RB are|VBP we|PRP unable|JJ to|TO prestate|NN the|DT configuration|NN space|NN of|IN a|DT biosphere|NN and|CC predict|VBP what|WP will|MD unfold|VB ,|, but|CC we|PRP also|RB cannot|NN even|RB translatein|NN the|DT sense|NN of|IN necessary|JJ and|CC sucient|NN conditionsfrom|NN legal|JJ talk|NN to|TO normal|JJ intentional|JJ talk|NN ,|, let|VB alone|RB from|IN legal|JJ talk|NN of|IN Henderson|NNP found|VBD guilty|JJ of|IN murder|NN to|TO a|DT physical|JJ talk|NN about|IN sound-wave|JJ forms|NNS monitored|VBN and|CC masses|NNS at|IN space-time|JJ lines|NNS as|IN a|DT description|NN .|. 

Then|RB let|VB 's|POS just|RB be|VB naive|JJ for|IN the|DT moment|NN .|. 
The|DT semantics|NNS of|IN the|DT yuck|NN or|CC yum|NN coming|VBG into|IN a|DT simple|JJ autonomous|JJ agentsay|NN ,|, an|DT early|JJ bacteriumis|NNS somehow|RB linked|VBN with|IN the|DT embodied|VBN know-how|NN of|IN that|DT agent|NN in|IN making|VBG a|DT living|NN ,|, or|CC failing|VBG to|TO make|VB a|DT living|NN ,|, in|IN its|PRP$ world|NN .|. 
The|DT semantics|NNS of|IN an|DT event|NN is|VBZ some|DT subset|NN of|IN the|DT fully|RB embroidered|JJ ,|, context-dependent|JJ set|NN of|IN causal|NN implications|NNS of|IN the|DT event|NN ,|, or|CC signal|NN ,|, in|IN question|NN .|. 

"|'' For|IN want|VBP of|IN a|DT nail|NN ,|, the|DT shoe|NN was|VBD lost|VBN ;|: for|IN want|VBP of|IN the|DT shoe|NN ,|, the|DT horse|NN was|VBD lost|VBN ;|: and|CC for|IN want|VBP of|IN the|DT horse|NN ,|, the|DT rider|NN was|VBD lost|VBN ,|, "|'' more|JJR or|CC less|JJR ,|, said|VBD Benjamin|NNP Franklin|NNP .|. 
The|DT semantics|NNS of|IN the|DT nail|NN is|VBZ some|DT subset|NN of|IN this|DT embroidered|JJ context-dependent|JJ set|NN of|IN implications|NNS of|IN the|DT event|NN ,|, or|CC signal|NN ,|, in|IN question|NN to|TO the|DT autonomous|JJ agents|NNS in|IN the|DT coevolving|VBG system|NN .|. 

It|PRP seems|VBZ hard|JJ to|TO ascribe|VBP purpose|NN ,|, in|IN the|DT sense|NN of|IN acting|VBG on|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN ,|, to|TO a|DT stone|NN or|CC a|DT chair|NN and|CC easy|JJ with|IN respect|NN to|TO an|DT alga|NN .|. 
Of|IN course|NN ,|, there|EX is|VBZ a|DT sense|NN in|IN which|WDT my|PRP$ attribution|NN of|IN semantics|NNS to|TO autonomous|JJ agents|NNS is|VBZ purely|RB tautological|JJ .|. 
After|IN all|DT ,|, I|PRP began|VBD by|IN stating|VBG that|IN a|DT bacterium|NN swimming|NN upstream|RB in|IN the|DT glucose|NN gradient|NN was|VBD acting|VBG on|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN in|IN an|DT environment|NN ,|, defined|VBD an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN as|IN a|DT physical|JJ system|NN able|JJ to|TO act|VB on|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN ,|, then|RB asked|VBD what|WP a|DT physical|JJ system|NN must|MD be|VB such|JJ that|IN it|PRP can|MD act|VB on|IN its|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN .|. 
Now|RB ,|, five|CD chapters|NNS later|RB ,|, it|PRP is|VBZ hardly|RB an|DT independent|JJ deduction|NN that|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS are|VBP the|DT proposed|VBN organization|NN of|IN matter|NN ,|, energy|NN ,|, and|CC organization|NN to|TO which|WDT purposes|NNS can|MD be|VB ascribed|VBN in|IN the|DT sense|NN of|IN being|VBG able|JJ to|TO act|VB on|IN their|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN .|. 
My|PRP$ definition|NN is|VBZ a|DT definitional|NN circle|NN .|. 

On|IN the|DT other|JJ hand|NN ,|, while|IN the|DT definition|NN is|VBZ circular|JJ ,|, like|IN F|NN =|SYM MA|NNP and|CC Darwin|NNP 's|POS "|'' natural|JJ selection|NN "|'' and|CC "|'' fitness|NN ,|, "|'' that|WDT does|VBZ not|RB mean|VB that|IN the|DT set|NN of|IN codefined|JJ concepts|NNS surrounding|VBG my|PRP$ definition|NN of|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN as|IN a|DT reproducing|VBG system|NN that|WDT does|VBZ a|DT work|NN cycle|NN fails|VBZ to|TO touch|VB the|DT real|JJ world|NN .|. 
Stones|NNP and|CC chairs|NNS are|VBP not|RB ,|, by|IN my|PRP$ definition|NN ,|, autonomous|JJ agents|NNS .|. 
All|DT living|VBG cells|NNS are|VBP .|. 
And|CC the|DT stunning|JJ fact|NN directly|RB before|IN us|PRP ,|, every|DT day|NN ,|, is|VBZ that|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS do|VBP manipulate|VB the|DT world|NN on|IN their|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN .|. 
Watch|NNP a|DT pair|NN of|IN nesting|JJ birds|NNS build|VBP their|PRP$ nest|NN .|. 

In|IN short|JJ ,|, once|RB we|PRP have|VBP autonomous|JJ agents|NNS and|CC yuck|NN and|CC yum|NN ,|, it|PRP appears|VBZ that|IN semantics|NNS enters|VBZ the|DT universe|NN as|IN the|DT agents|NNS coevolve|NN and|CC behave|VB on|IN their|PRP$ own|JJ behalf|NN with|IN one|CD another|DT in|IN the|DT unfolding|VBG of|IN a|DT biosphere|NN .|. 

Knowing|VBG 
What|WP about|IN "|'' knowing|VBG "|'' ?|. 

Daniel|NNP Dennett|NNP ,|, in|IN his|PRP$ fine|NN book|NN Darwin|NNP 's|POS Dangerous|JJ Idea|NNP ,|, advances|NNS a|DT hierarchy|NN of|IN forms|NNS of|IN "|'' knowing|VBG ,|, "|'' if|IN I|PRP may|MD use|VB that|DT term|NN ,|, that|WDT have|VBP arisen|VBN in|IN evolution|NN by|IN Darwinian|JJ means|NNS .|. 
I|PRP find|VBP his|PRP$ hierarchy|NN congenial|JJ and|CC informative|JJ .|. 
Dennett|NNP envisions|VBZ evolution|NN as|IN a|DT sequence|NN of|IN kinds|NNS of|IN construction|NN cranes|NNS that|WDT bit|NN by|IN bit|NN build|VB up|RB higher-order|JJ entities|NNS via|IN variation|NN and|CC natural|JJ selection|NN .|. 

I|PRP do|VBP not|RB disagree|VB ,|, although|IN I|PRP have|VBP placed|VBN far|RB greater|JJR emphasis|NN on|IN the|DT roles|NNS of|IN self-organization|JJ in|IN evolution|NN .|. 
Here|RB ,|, in|IN Investigations|NNP ,|, I|PRP am|VBP trying|VBG to|TO point|VB at|IN the|DT mysterious|JJ but|CC utterly|RB natural|JJ hopefulness|NNS in|IN which|WDT an|DT increasing|VBG diversity|NN of|IN broken|VBN symmetries|NNS in|IN the|DT universe|NN creates|VBZ the|DT diversity|NN of|IN structures|NNS and|CC processes|VBZ that|WDT can|MD constitute|VB and|CC identify|VB ramified|JJ and|CC ramifying|VBG sources|NNS of|IN energy|NN ,|, detect|VBP those|DT sources|NNS of|IN energy|NN ,|, create|VB devices|NNS and|CC processes|VBZ that|DT couple|NN to|TO those|DT sources|NNS of|IN energy|NN ,|, and|CC generate|VB yet|RB more|JJR diversity|NN that|WDT propagates|NNS macroscopic|JJ order|NN even|RB further|RB .|. 
I|PRP wonder|NN ,|, in|IN short|JJ ,|, at|IN the|DT naturalness|NNS and|CC self-generaticity|JJ of|IN Dennett|NNP 's|POS cranes|NNS building|NN cranes|NNS building|NN cranes|NNS in|IN biospheres|NNS ,|, perhaps|RB planetary|JJ geologies|NNS ,|, and|CC beyond|IN .|. 

But|CC back|RB to|TO the|DT past|NN .|. 
Dennett|NNP distinguishes|NNS "|'' Darwinian|JJ creatures|NNS ,|, "|'' "|'' Pavlovian|NNP creatures|NNS ,|, "|'' "|'' Popperian|NNP creatures|NNS ,|, "|'' and|CC "|'' Gregorian|NNP creatures|NNS .|. "|'' 
A|DT simple|JJ autonomous|JJ agent|NN ,|, say|VB ,|, a|DT bacterium|NN ,|, is|VBZ a|DT Darwinian|JJ creature|NN .|. 
In|IN its|PRP$ simplest|JJS version|NN ,|, the|DT creature|NN evolves|NNS by|IN mutation|NN ,|, also|RB recombination|NN and|CC natural|JJ selection|NN .|. 
For|IN the|DT moment|NN ,|, no|DT behavioral|JJ learning|NN is|VBZ to|TO be|VB considered|VBN .|. 
So|RB one|CD (|( or|CC a|DT colony|NN or|CC an|DT ecosystem|NN )|) of|IN Darwinian|JJ creatures|NNS adapts|NNS more|RBR or|CC less|JJR as|IN Darwin|NNP told|VBD us|PRP .|. 

At|IN the|DT next|JJ level|NN up|RB ,|, say|VB ,|, aplysia|NN ,|, a|DT nervous|JJ system|NN is|VBZ present|JJ ,|, and|CC the|DT creature|NN is|VBZ capable|JJ of|IN stimulus-response|JJ learning|NN ,|, á|NN la|FW Pavlov|NNP .|. 
Indeed|RB ,|, aplysia|NN can|MD learn|VB very|RB simple|JJ conditioned|VBN stimulithe|NN later|RB analogue|NN is|VBZ the|DT bell|NN causing|VBG the|DT dog|NN to|TO salivate|NN in|IN "|'' expectation|NN "|'' of|IN food|NN .|. 

At|IN the|DT next|JJ level|NN (|( Dennett|NNP ,|, perhaps|RB properly|RB ,|, reserves|NNS this|DT for|IN us|PRP vertebrates|NNS )|) is|VBZ the|DT Popperian|NNP creature|NN .|. 
Popperian|NNP creatures|NNS ,|, in|IN Dennett|NNP 's|POS fine|NN phrase|NN ,|, have|VBP "|'' internal|JJ models|NNS "|'' of|IN their|PRP$ world|NN and|CC can|MD "|'' run|VB the|DT internal|JJ model|NN "|'' with|IN the|DT clutch|NN disengaged|JJ ,|, rather|RB than|IN running|VBG the|DT model|NN in|IN real|JJ time|NN in|IN the|DT real|JJ world|NN .|. 
This|DT allows|VBZ us|PRP lucky|JJ Popperian|NNP creatures|NNS to|TO allow|VB our|PRP$ "|'' hypotheses|NNS to|TO die|VB in|IN our|PRP$ stead|NN .|. "|'' 
I|PRP love|VBP that|DT image|NN .|. 

Beyond|IN the|DT Popperian|NNP is|VBZ the|DT Gregorian|NNP creaturenamely|RB ,|, at|IN least|JJS humans|NNS .|. 
Dennett|NNP makes|VBZ the|DT wonderful|JJ argument|NN that|IN we|PRP utilize|VB our|PRP$ toolsliterally|RB stone|NN knives|NNS ,|, arrows|NNS ,|, digging|NN sticks|VBZ ,|, machine|NN toolsto|NN enlarge|VB our|PRP$ shared|VBN world|NN of|IN facts|NNS and|CC processes|NNS .|. 
This|DT enlarged|JJ shared|VBN world|NN gives|VBZ us|PRP more|JJR know-how|NN ,|, and|CC more|JJR know|VB that|DT .|. 
Cultural|JJ evolution|NN ,|, at|IN some|DT point|NN ,|, begins|VBZ to|TO burst|NN out-of-bounds|JJ .|. 
Hard|NNP rock|NN music|NN jangles|NNS the|DT minarets|NNS of|IN Iran|NNP .|. 
Who|WP knows|VBZ what|WP new|JJ cultural|JJ forms|NNS will|MD blossom|NN ?|. 
Chinese|JJ cooking|NN lands|NNS in|IN Cuba|NNP ,|, and|CC Cuban-|NNP Chinese|JJ cuisine|NN is|VBZ invented|VBN .|. 
What|WP 's|VBZ next|JJ under|IN the|DT sun|NN ?|. 
Who|WP can|MD say|VB ?|. 

I|PRP very|RB much|RB like|IN Dennett|NNP 's|POS ladder|NN of|IN know-how|NN ,|, and|CC eventual|JJ know|VB that|DT .|. 
Without|IN invoking|VBG consciousness|NN ,|, not|RB because|IN it|PRP is|VBZ not|RB worth|JJ invoking|VBG but|CC because|IN so|RB little|RB sensible|NN has|VBZ ever|RB been|VBN said|VBN on|IN the|DT subject|NN ,|, it|PRP seems|VBZ worth|JJ asking|NN how|WRB much|JJ of|IN this|DT hierarchy|NN could|MD be|VB realized|VBN by|IN simple|JJ molecular|JJ systems|NNS ,|, even|RB without|IN evoking|VBG nerve|NN cells|NNS .|. 

I|PRP would|MD think|VB a|DT lot|NN of|IN this|DT hierarchy|NN could|MD find|VB molecular|JJ realizations|NNS .|. 
For|IN example|NN ,|, bacteria|NNS and|CC amoebae|NN do|VBP have|VBP a|DT kind|NN of|IN Pavlovian|NNP learning|VBG already|RB ,|, for|IN they|PRP have|VBP receptors|NNS that|WDT accommodate|VBP to|TO a|DT constant|JJ level|NN of|IN a|DT given|VBN signal|NN ligand|NN and|CC sense|NN instead|RB a|DT change|NN from|IN the|DT current|JJ level|NN .|. 
This|DT is|VBZ not|RB yet|RB the|DT association|NN of|IN a|DT more|JJR or|CC less|RBR arbitrary|JJ conditioned|VBN stimulus|NN with|IN an|DT unconditioned|JJ stimulus|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP can|MD imagine|VB chemistry|NN to|TO accomplish|VB the|DT latter|NN .|. 
As|IN neurons|NNS are|VBP supposed|VBN to|TO proliferate|VBP and|CC form|NN novel|NN synaptic|JJ connections|NNS that|WDT survive|VBP if|IN used|VBN and|CC to|TO mediate|VB the|DT linkage|NN of|IN conditioned|VBN to|TO unconditioned|JJ stimulus|NN ,|, why|WRB not|RB envision|VB a|DT complex|JJ chemistry|NN ,|, say|VB ,|, very|RB complex|JJ carbohydrate-synthesis|JJ patterns|NNS sustained|VBN by|IN complex|JJ sets|NNS of|IN enzymes|NNS whose|WP$ activities|NNS are|VBP modulated|JJ by|IN the|DT dierent|NN carbohydrates|NNS themselves|PRP ,|, which|WDT is|VBZ true|JJ of|IN contemporary|JJ carbohydrate|NN metabolism|NN .|. 
Such|JJ a|DT system|NN might|MD blindly|RB try|VB out|IN variant|NN patterns|NNS of|IN synthesis|NN until|IN it|PRP could|MD establish|VB a|DT self-sustaining|JJ web|NN linking|VBG the|DT carbohydrates|NNS ,|, the|DT enzymes|NNS ,|, and|CC certain|JJ protein|NN receptors|NNS mediating|VBG the|DT linkage|NN between|IN unconditioned|JJ and|CC conditioned|VBN stimulus|NN ,|, then|RB maintain|VB that|DT linkage|NN by|IN positive|JJ feedback|NN loops|NNS .|. 
The|DT image|NN is|VBZ not|RB too|RB far|RB from|IN how|WRB it|PRP is|VBZ imagined|VBN that|IN "|'' idiotype|NN "|'' and|CC "|'' anti-idiotype|JJ "|'' immune|JJ networks|NNS work|VBP to|TO sustain|VB synthesis|NN of|IN a|DT set|NN of|IN desired|VBN antibodies|NNS against|IN an|DT incoming|JJ pathogen|NN .|. 
In|IN such|JJ networks|NNS ,|, for|IN which|WDT there|EX is|VBZ modestly|RB good|JJ evidence|NN ,|, a|DT given|VBN first|JJ antibody|NN serves|VBZ as|IN an|DT antigen|NN that|IN stimulates|NNS the|DT body|NN to|TO produce|VB a|DT second|JJ antibody|NN that|IN binds|NNS to|TO the|DT unique|JJ amino|JJ acid|NN sequences|NNS ,|, called|VBD the|DT "|'' idiotype|NN "|'' of|IN the|DT first|JJ antibody|NN .|. 
In|IN turn|NN ,|, the|DT second|JJ "|'' anti-idiotype|JJ "|'' antibody|NN stimulates|NNS a|DT third|NN ,|, which|WDT stimulates|NNS a|DT fourth|JJ .|. 
But|CC this|DT series|NN is|VBZ likely|JJ to|TO form|VB feedback|NN loops|NNS because|IN the|DT first|JJ and|CC third|JJ antibody|NN can|MD often|RB both|DT bind|NN to|TO the|DT same|JJ site|NN on|IN the|DT second|JJ antibody|NN ,|, hence|RB ,|, the|DT first|JJ and|CC third|JJ antibodies|NNS are|VBP similar|JJ shapes|NNS in|IN shape|NN space|NN .|. 
It|PRP is|VBZ not|RB much|JJ of|IN a|DT stretch|NN to|TO think|VB of|IN the|DT immune|JJ system|NN as|IN a|DT conditioned|VBN stimulus|NN response|NN system|NN .|. 

Popperian|NNP creatures|NNS ?|. 
Why|WRB cannot|NN the|DT molecular-sensing|JJ and|CC hypothesis-testing|JJ churning|VBG concerns|NNS of|IN the|DT bacterium|NN as|IN it|PRP senses|NNS a|DT paramecium|NN churn|VBP twenty|CD cycles|NNS before|IN kicking|VBG in|IN the|DT rotary|JJ motor|NN ,|, or|CC not|RB ,|, such|JJ that|IN the|DT wee|NN bacterium|NN hides|NNS under|IN a|DT boulder|NN of|IN a|DT grain|NN of|IN sand|NN until|IN the|DT beast|NN passes|VBZ by|RP ?|. 
Are|VBP nerves|NNS necessary|JJ ?|. 
Plants|NNP ,|, as|IN noted|VBN ,|, are|VBP said|VBD to|TO signal|VB one|CD another|DT with|IN complex|JJ secondary|JJ metabolites|NNS to|TO characterize|VB the|DT particular|JJ kinds|NNS of|IN insects|NNS infesting|VBG the|DT glade|NN .|. 
There|EX are|VBP arbitrary|JJ structural|JJ relations|NNS between|IN the|DT metabolite|NN and|CC the|DT insect|NN ,|, just|RB as|IN symbols|NNS in|IN human|JJ language|NN are|VBP often|RB arbitrary|JJ with|IN respect|NN to|TO the|DT signified|VBD .|. 
Not|RB bad|JJ for|IN nerveless|JJ nonvertebrates|NNS .|. 

I|PRP do|VBP get|VB stuck|VBN at|IN Gregorian|NNP creatures|NNS .|. 
Even|RB here|RB ,|, the|DT free|JJ and|CC open|NN creating|VBG of|IN new|JJ symbol|NN strings|NNS in|IN a|DT language|NN ,|, wherever|WRB new|JJ sentences|NNS can|MD be|VB created|VBN ,|, is|VBZ not|RB that|IN fundamentally|RB dierent|NN from|IN the|DT persistent|JJ open|JJ creation|NN of|IN new|JJ kinds|NNS of|IN molecules|NNS in|IN the|DT biosphere|NN as|IN a|DT whole|NN .|. 
If|IN the|DT conversation|NN we|PRP recent|JJ two-legged|JJ ones|NNS are|VBP having|VBG with|IN respect|NN to|TO our|PRP$ digging|NN sticks|VBZ and|CC atomic|JJ bombs|NNS is|VBZ impressive|JJ ,|, so|RB too|RB is|VBZ the|DT chemical|NN conversation|NN in|IN any|DT full-fledged|JJ ecosystem|NN ,|, where|WRB we|PRP are|VBP all|DT instrumental|JJ in|IN the|DT lives|NNS of|IN one|CD another|DT .|. 

I|PRP suppose|VBP I|PRP am|VBP naively|RB driven|VBN to|TO consider|VB that|IN the|DT biosphere|NN ,|, with|IN its|PRP$ urgent|JJ diversity|NN in|IN which|WDT ,|, emboldened|VBN by|IN all|DT our|PRP$ know-how|NN ,|, we|PRP do|VBP get|VB on|IN with|IN a|DT very|RB rich|JJ conversation|NN ,|, may|MD very|RB early|JJ already|RB have|VBP harbored|JJ all|PDT the|DT levels|NNS of|IN which|WDT Dennett|NNP speaks|VBZ .|. 
We|PRP humans|NNS are|VBP just|RB more|RBR gregarious|JJ with|IN our|PRP$ vocal|JJ cords|NNS and|CC e-mail|JJ ,|, I|PRP guess|VBP .|. 
Smart|NNP place|NN ,|, a|DT biosphere|NN ,|, lots|NNS to|TO talk|VB about|IN .|. 
Four|CD billion|CD years|NNS of|IN yammering|VBG .|. 
Slapstick|NNP comedy|NN may|MD have|VB started|VBN a|DT long|JJ time|NN ago|RB .|. 

Ethics|NNP 
And|CC what|WP of|IN ethics|NNS ?|. 
Does|VBZ a|DT whiff|NN of|IN ethical|JJ issue|NN arise|VB with|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS ?|. 
Yuck|NNP or|CC yum|NN from|IN my|PRP$ point|NN of|IN view|NN if|IN I|PRP am|VBP an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN .|. 
There|EX are|VBP deep|JJ reasons|NNS for|IN caution|NN .|. 
Hume|NNP told|VBD us|PRP long|RB ago|RB about|IN the|DT "|'' naturalistic|JJ fallacy|NN "|'' :|: One|CD cannot|NN deduce|NN "|'' ought|MD "|'' from|IN "|'' is|VBZ .|. "|'' 
From|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN mothers|NNS care|VBP for|IN their|PRP$ young|JJ ,|, we|PRP cannot|NN deduce|NN that|IN they|PRP ought|MD to|TO do|VB so|RB ,|, Hume|NNP argued|VBD .|. 
From|IN the|DT fact|NN that|IN Hitler|NNP set|VBD out|IN to|TO conquer|VB Europe|NNP and|CC more|JJR and|CC to|TO kill|VB Jewry|NNP ,|, we|PRP cannot|NN deduce|NN that|IN he|PRP ought|MD to|TO have|VB done|VBN so|RB .|. 

Indeed|RB ,|, Hume|NNP 's|POS injunction|NN underlies|NNS the|DT caution|NN of|IN scientists|NNS about|IN making|VBG ethical|JJ statements|NNS .|. 
We|PRP scientists|NNS find|VBP the|DT facts|NNS .|. 
You|PRP citizens|NNS across|IN the|DT globe|NN can|MD argue|VB the|DT ethics|NNS .|. 
But|CC if|IN Hume|NNP warns|VBZ us|PRP not|RB to|TO deduce|NN ought|MD from|IN is|VBZ ,|, where|WRB do|VBP values|NNS come|VBP from|IN at|IN all|DT ?|. 
Hume|NNP 's|POS injunction|NN against|IN deduction|NN from|IN is|VBZ to|TO ought|MD nevertheless|RB began|VBD by|IN recognizing|VBG the|DT legitimacy|NN of|IN the|DT category|NN "|'' ought|MD .|. "|'' 

The|DT eorts|NNS following|VBG Hume|NNP to|TO understand|VB the|DT meaning|NN of|IN ethical|JJ assertions|NNS have|VBP been|VBN long|JJ ,|, twisted|JJ ,|, arduous|JJ .|. 
Following|VBG the|DT dictates|VBZ of|IN the|DT logical|JJ positivists|NNS of|IN the|DT Vienna|NNP Circle|NNP that|IN only|RB those|DT statements|NNS capable|JJ of|IN verification|NN were|VBD meaningful|JJ ,|, philosophers|NNS as|RB famous|JJ as|IN G.|NN E.|NN Moore|NNP came|VBD to|TO wonder|VB if|IN ethical|JJ assertions|NNS were|VBD merely|RB emotive|JJ utterances|NNS .|. 
"|'' It|PRP is|VBZ wrong|JJ to|TO kill|VB .|. "|'' 
Becomes|NNP ,|, "|'' Agggah|NNP !|. "|'' 
Does|VBZ the|DT positivist|NN argument|NN seem|VBP persuasive|JJ ?|. 
It|PRP has|VBZ always|RB amused|JJ me|PRP that|IN the|DT core|NN injunction|NN of|IN the|DT logical|JJ positivists|NNS ,|, "|'' only|RB those|DT statements|NNS that|WDT are|VBP empirically|RB verifiable|JJ are|VBP meaningful|JJ ,|, "|'' is|VBZ itself|PRP not|RB empirically|RB verifiable|JJ .|. 
One|CD is|VBZ reminded|VBN of|IN something|NN about|IN hoisting|NN and|CC petards|NNS .|. 

John|NNP Rawls|NNP of|IN Harvard|NNP has|VBZ argued|VBN eloquently|RB that|IN our|PRP$ human|JJ notions|NNS of|IN fairness|NN derive|VB from|IN what|WP we|PRP would|MD all|DT "|'' contractually|RB "|'' agree|VBP to|TO ,|, were|VBD we|PRP to|TO know|VB before|IN birth|NN that|IN we|PRP would|MD all|DT be|VBP born|VBN with|IN diering|VBG abilities|NNS and|CC endowments|NNS .|. 
Thus|RB "|'' equality|NN before|IN the|DT law|NN "|'' is|VBZ one|CD contract|NN that|IN Rawls|NNP commends|VBZ to|TO us|PRP .|. 
"|'' Equality|NNP before|IN the|DT law|NN "|'' is|VBZ far|RB more|RBR refined|JJ than|IN the|DT yuck|NN or|CC yum|NN of|IN the|DT bacterium|NN .|. 
The|DT emergence|NN of|IN ethics|NNS in|IN the|DT evolution|NN of|IN life|NN on|IN this|DT planet|NN is|VBZ a|DT fascinating|JJ issue|NN .|. 

I|PRP will|MD content|VB myself|PRP with|IN wondering|VBG where|WRB "|'' value|NN "|'' and|CC the|DT rudiments|NNS of|IN "|'' intentionality|NN "|'' come|VB from|IN in|IN the|DT physical|JJ universe|NN in|IN the|DT first|JJ place|NN and|CC leave|VB social|JJ contracts|NNS for|IN other|JJ eorts|NNS .|. 
Where|WRB is|VBZ the|DT place|NN of|IN value|NN in|IN a|DT world|NN of|IN fact|NN ?|. 

So|RB ,|, a|DT short|JJ soliloquy|NN .|. 
Facts|NNP are|VBP know-that|JJ statements|NNS .|. 
But|CC know-how|NN preceded|VBN know|VB that|DT .|. 
While|IN fully|RB aware|JJ of|IN Hume|NNP 's|POS injunction|NN ,|, I|PRP think|VBP that|IN from|IN the|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN 's|POS perspective|NN ,|, yuck|NN or|CC yum|NN is|VBZ primary|JJ ,|, unavoidable|JJ ,|, and|CC of|IN the|DT deepest|JJS importance|NN to|TO that|DT agent|NN .|. 
I|PRP suppose|VBP we|PRP apply|VBP the|DT Darwinian|JJ criteria|NNS .|. 
Too|RB much|JJ yuck|NN ,|, this|DT one|CD and|CC its|PRP$ progeny|NN are|VBP gone|VBN from|IN the|DT future|NN of|IN the|DT biosphere|NN .|. 
Without|IN attributing|VBG consciousness|NN to|TO an|DT E.|NN coli|NNS ,|, or|CC an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN we|PRP may|MD create|VB in|IN the|DT near|JJ future|JJ ,|, I|PRP cannot|NN help|NN but|CC feel|VBP that|IN the|DT rudiments|NNS of|IN value|NN are|VBP present|JJ once|RB autonomous|JJ agents|NNS are|VBP around|IN .|. 

And|CC again|RB without|IN attributing|VBG consciousness|NN ,|, once|RB an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN is|VBZ around|IN is|VBZ the|DT rudiment|NN of|IN intentionality|NN present|JJ ?|. 
If|IN so|RB ,|, another|DT cornerstone|NN of|IN ethical|JJ activity|NN has|VBZ been|VBN laid|VBN .|. 
Ethical|NNP behavior|NN requires|VBZ first|JJ the|DT logical|JJ possibility|NN of|IN behavior|NN for|IN which|WDT one|CD is|VBZ responsible|JJ .|. 
You|PRP are|VBP not|RB responsible|JJ for|IN acts|NNS and|CC eects|NNS beyond|IN your|PRP$ control|NN .|. 
To|TO act|VB ethically|RB ,|, you|PRP must|MD first|RB be|VB able|JJ to|TO act|VB at|IN all|DT .|. 

But|CC what|WP are|VBP "|'' acts|NNS "|'' in|IN the|DT first|JJ place|NN ?|. 
Daniel|NNP Yamins|NNP is|VBZ a|DT brilliant|JJ young|JJ mathematician|NN .|. 
Now|RB entering|VBG Harvard|NNP ,|, Dan|NNP spent|VBD a|DT summer|NN with|IN me|PRP at|IN the|DT Santa|NNP Fe|NNP Institute|NNP before|IN he|PRP learned|VBD to|TO drive|VB ,|, after|IN an|DT earlier|JJR summer|NN spent|VBD in|IN the|DT laboratory|NN of|IN Jack|NNP Szostak|NNP at|IN Harvard|NNP ,|, where|WRB ,|, at|IN age|NN fourteen|CD ,|, Dan|NNP was|VBD learning|VBG to|TO evolve|VB RNA|NNP molecules|NNS to|TO bind|NN arbitrary|JJ ligands|NNS .|. 
Dan|NNP and|CC I|PRP struggled|VBD that|DT summer|NN to|TO make|VB the|DT distinction|NN between|IN the|DT "|'' doings|NNS "|'' of|IN an|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN and|CC mere|JJ happenings|NNS in|IN and|CC around|IN the|DT autonomous|JJ agent|NN .|. 
Note|VB we|PRP say|VBP the|DT E.|NN coli|NNS is|VBZ swimming|VBG upstream|RB in|IN the|DT glucose|NN gradient|NN to|TO get|VB dinner|NN .|. 
But|CC all|DT sorts|NNS of|IN molecular|JJ vibrational|NN ,|, rotational|NN ,|, and|CC translational|NN motions|NNS are|VBP occurring|VBG .|. 
What|WP are|VBP actions|NNS and|CC what|WP are|VBP mere|JJ happenings|NNS ?|. 

I|PRP do|VBP not|RB think|VB we|PRP were|VBD successful|JJ in|IN drawing|VBG a|DT clean|JJ distinction|NN between|IN doings|NNS and|CC happenings|NNS with|IN clear|JJ mathematics|NN .|. 
But|CC I|PRP sense|VBP that|IN the|DT distinction|NN between|IN doings|NNS and|CC happenings|NNS ,|, Dan|NNP 's|POS happy|JJ phrasing|NN ,|, is|VBZ relevant|JJ for|IN E.|NN coli|NNS ,|, tigers|NNS ,|, us|PRP ,|, trees|NNS ,|, and|CC autonomous|JJ agents|NNS in|IN general|NN .|. 
We|PRP will|MD meet|VB a|DT similar|JJ problem|NN in|IN the|DT next|JJ chapter|NN when|WRB we|PRP attempt|VBP to|TO distinguish|VB between|IN the|DT function|NN of|IN a|DT part|NN of|IN an|DT organism|NN and|CC the|DT other|JJ causal|NN consequences|NNS of|IN that|DT part|NN of|IN the|DT organism|NN .|. 

Strange|JJ and|CC interesting|JJ ,|, is|VBZ it|PRP not|RB ,|, that|IN these|DT issues|NNS all|DT seem|VBP to|TO arise|VB with|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS but|CC not|RB otherwise|RB ?|. 
Granted|NNP that|IN we|PRP here|RB seem|VBP to|TO confront|VB the|DT language|NN game|NN circularity|NN alluded|VBD to|TO earlier|RBR ,|, yet|RB I|PRP do|VBP truly|RB think|VBP that|IN the|DT rudiments|NNS of|IN semantics|NNS ,|, intentionality|NN ,|, value|NN ,|, and|CC ethics|NNS arise|VBP with|IN autonomous|JJ agents|NNS .|. 
I|PRP do|VBP not|RB think|VB those|DT rudiments|NNS suce|NN to|TO jump|VB over|IN Hume|NNP 's|POS naturalistic|JJ fallacy|NN .|. 
We|PRP cannot|NN deduce|NN ought|MD from|IN is|VBZ in|IN any|DT concrete|JJ context|NN ,|, but|CC I|PRP think|VBP we|PRP have|VBP the|DT categories|NNS of|IN ought|MD and|CC is|VBZ in|IN the|DT physical|JJ universe|NN once|RB we|PRP have|VBP autonomous|JJ agents|NNS .|. 

