Re: machines vs. living systems

[Tim Gwinn <***>]

Glen,

GR:
This is a general inquiry.  I seem to lack a facility that you guys seem 
to have, namely the unadulterated ability to tell the difference between 
a machine and an organism... and complete confidence that you're right 
in your judgement.  I just don't have that ability.  It seems totally 
plausible that organisms are simply robust machines to me.

That's what my inquiry is about.  But, as I said, perhaps it's not 
appropriate for this forum.

TG: If after reading Life Itself you indeed feel its totally plausible that
organisms are simply robust machines (and here I again mean 'machines' in
the Rosennean sense), then you are probably right that this forum is not the
right place. There are certainly a large number - if not a majority of
people - elsewhere who would agree with you.

We are not here to persuade you about Rosen's writings, only to offer
clarifications if they are needed.

Regards,
Tim