dhw: I agree that conscious intelligence is at the basis of life, and I am suggesting that it is present in all forms of life, in varying forms and degrees. ........ Once we agree that "conscious" intelligence is at the basis of life and is therefore present in the cell and in cell communities and in all forms of life, we are left with the problem of its source. That's where the different parties diverge.-I agree with your statement. The best way to prove life's inventiveness and conscious resource is convergence: Birds fly (vertebrates); insects fly (arthorpods); and bats fly (mammals):- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130917123613.htm-But you haven't picked a source for the conscious intelligence. Your problem, not mine.