Can Symmetry Solve the Dilemma of Buridan's Ass?

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The discussion centers around the medieval paradox known as "Buridan's ass," which illustrates a dilemma faced by a donkey placed equidistant from two identical piles of food. The donkey, unable to rationally choose between the two, ultimately starves. Participants explore the implications of this paradox, suggesting that if the donkey could make spontaneous decisions, it could avoid starvation. The conversation shifts to the nature of decision-making, with some arguing that randomness or arbitrary choices could resolve the dilemma, while others question the role of free will in decision-making, particularly in the context of crime and moral responsibility. The concept of handedness is also introduced, linking it to genetic predispositions and suggesting that preferences in decision-making might not be entirely arbitrary but influenced by evolutionary programming. The dialogue reflects broader themes of rationality, choice, and the philosophical underpinnings of free will versus determinism.
  • #31
Russell E. Rierson said:
Yes but how would the donkey choose which pile represented heads? and which pile represented tails? :wink:
He wouldn't - he'd make the coin from scratch with a left and a right side. :-p
 
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  • #32
selfAdjoint said:
See the discussion of handedness above. It needn't involve free will, it could just be "programmed" by evolution.
Right, that's what I said.
me said:
And if handedness is genetic, the "choice" is predetermined. But nevermind, it's rather weak and not very relevant to the question.
And humans aren't the only primates that display handedness. I posted a link to articles concerning handedness in chimps.

I didn't think it was relevant because the question seemed like a philosophical question stated as a physical example (i.e. it doesn't matter that the animal is a donkey, it could be a frog, etc.).
But if we are going to talk about physical animals, the situation is predetermined if the animal's choice is phenotypical (term?). Agree? Are some animal behaviors not phenotypical? Is it possible that decision-making is an emergent property of animals? Is it possible that the genotype's environment includes nonphysical things? (that last question introduces the weakness IMO.)
 

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