"My second disagreement with the paper is a computer would be useless to model living systems , because a computer can not model volition , the defining characteristic of life ."
"Well firstly we do not know that `` volition `` must be embodied in living organisms only - computers MIGHT be capable of exhibiting it . I think you will find that there is NO valid reason for believing otherwise . And volition itself is NOT a defining characteristic of life . No biologist would buy that assumption . Sponges , bacteria , corn plants etc etc etc are mindless organisms and so far as can be determined do not act out of volition ."
"computer can not model volition , the defining characteristic of life ."
"Well firstly we do not know that `` volition `` must be embodied in living organisms only computers MIGHT be capable of exhibiting it . And volition itself is NOT a defining characteristic of life Sponges , bacteria , corn plants etc etc etc are mindless organisms and so far as can be determined do not act out of volition ."