51. Behavioural Potential

(1) The Creation Of Potential 

Behavioural options are created at the timescales of phylogenesis, ontogenesis and logogenesis/behaviour. That is, the behavioural potential of any individual depends on what systems have thus far evolved in the culture of the community[1], what systems have evolved in the individual through experience[2], and what systems emerge anew through recombinations of pre-established options during behaviour. 

(2) The Number Of Options 

The range of behavioural potential depends on the degree of expansion of the systems involved: the degree to which they are elaborated, extended and enhanced. The elaboration of systems includes the number of options[3] per systems, and the degree of delicacy of such systems. The extension of systems includes the number of conjunctive (‘simultaneous’) systems, which create combinatorial potential: each system being a dimension, the degrees of freedom, of the conjoined network. The enhancement of systems includes the degree to which they are qualified by specific contextual circumstances; that is, the amount of register variation established in the system as a whole.[4]

Footnotes:

[1] All decisions result from historical processes, enabled by and enabling the decisions of others, the potential of each individual to decide enriched by the decision making of others.

[2] Boden (1995: 155):

The more a creature’s past experience differs from that of other creatures, the more ‘individual’ its behaviour will appear.

[3] Of course, options vary in value, and some contrasts may turn out to be only apparent, on closer inspection.

[4] Across species, there is a continuum of expanding behavioural potential, from fewer to greater choices.

ChatGPT revised:

The Creation and Expansion of Behavioural Potential

(1) The Creation of Potential

Behavioural options are created across the timescales of phylogenesis, ontogenesis, and logogenesis/behaviour. In this context, the behavioural potential of an individual is shaped by several factors:

• The systems that have evolved in the culture of the community through phylogenesis,

• The systems that have evolved in the individual through their life experiences (ontogenesis),

• The new systems that emerge during behaviour as recombinations of pre-existing options.

(2) The Number of Options

The range of behavioural potential depends on the extent to which the systems involved have been elaborated, extended, and enhanced. These three aspects of system development influence the number and quality of available options:

• Elaboration refers to the number of options available within each system and the degree of delicacy of those systems. In other words, how finely tuned and diverse the available options are.

• Extension involves the number of conjunctive ('simultaneous') systems, which in turn creates combinatorial potential. Each system represents a dimension, and the conjoined network of systems provides degrees of freedom, expanding the potential behavioural options.

• Enhancement concerns the degree to which systems are qualified by specific contextual circumstances. This includes the variation in registers that can be established within the system as a whole, reflecting the adaptability of the system in different social or environmental situations.

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Footnotes:

1. All decisions result from historical processes, shaped by and enabling the decisions of others. The potential of each individual to decide is enriched by the decision-making of others.

2. Boden (1995: 155): The more a creature’s past experience differs from that of other creatures, the more ‘individual’ its behaviour will appear.

3. Of course, options vary in value, and some contrasts may seem significant at first but turn out to be only apparent upon closer inspection.

4. Across species, there is a continuum of expanding behavioural potential, ranging from fewer to greater choices.