I think it’s probably even simpler than that: feedback loops are the minimum viable agent, i.e. a thermostat is the simplest kind of agent possible. Stuff like knowledge and planning are elaborations on the simple theme of the negative feedback circuit.
I disagree; I think we go astray by counting things like thermostats as agents. I’m proposing that this particular feedback loop I diagrammed is really important, a much more interesting phenomenon to study than the more general category of feedback loop that includes thermostats.
I think it’s probably even simpler than that: feedback loops are the minimum viable agent, i.e. a thermostat is the simplest kind of agent possible. Stuff like knowledge and planning are elaborations on the simple theme of the negative feedback circuit.
I disagree; I think we go astray by counting things like thermostats as agents. I’m proposing that this particular feedback loop I diagrammed is really important, a much more interesting phenomenon to study than the more general category of feedback loop that includes thermostats.