The Emergence of Cognition and Computation: A Physicalistic Perspective

Abstract: A physicalistic argument can support the idea that cognition is an emergent property driven by dissipation. This argument suggests that cognition arises not from any fiat desire to understand the world, but rather because a certain type of cognition promotes dissipation, which is advantageous for agents seeking to increase the dissipation of resources, especially energy, in their favor. In other words, cognitive agents are better equipped to acquire physical resources and means, giving them an advantage in survival and reproduction. Similarly, the efficient use of computation can also serve as a means of dissipating energy for the computing agent. Efficiency, in this context, is not determined by moral or ethical principles, but rather by the ability to effectively aggregate resources. When used efficiently, computation becomes a powerful tool for dissipating energy and enhancing the survival and reproduction of the agent utilizing it.