Below is an ongoing research which has been published on this blog regarding the eye having inteliigence and making decisions from those memories
Peter Davidson
The Eye's Reflexive Intelligence: Beyond a Simple Camera
My research and supporting evidence suggest that the eye is far more than a passive receiver of light; it possesses a form of localized, "brain-like" intelligence that allows it to make rapid, autonomous decisions for its own protection and optimal function. This inherent capability helps the eye respond to threats and process information before the conscious brain can even react.
Please read very informative article and referenced in this research. https://neurosciencenews.com/microglia-retina-vision-29520/
Gemini AI Summary from my praxis and questions to it.
Key Evidence for the Eye's Autonomous "Thinking"
Here are the main points supporting the idea that the visual system "thinks for itself":
Speed of Light vs. Brain Response: Light travels incredibly fast, much quicker than our brains can consciously process and respond to potential threats. This speed differential necessitates that the eye must have its own immediate, built-in intelligence to trigger rapid protective actions, such as the blink reflex, preventing harmful elements from entering. This isn't a command from the brain; it's an on-the-spot decision by the eye.
Advanced Early Visual Processing: The retina itself is a sophisticated neural processing unit, not just a simple camera. It contains complex neural networks that perform vital tasks before information even reaches the main visual cortex. These include:
Contrast enhancement: Sharpening edges and differences in light intensity.
Color segregation: Separating light into distinct color channels.
Motion detection: Identifying movement to help us react quickly.
Light adaptation: Adjusting sensitivity across various light conditions. This "pre-processing" means the eye actively filters and interprets information, sending a refined signal to the brain, effectively "thinking" about what's most important to transmit.
Selective Immune Response and "Cloaking": Recent neuroscience research highlights the eye's unique and highly specialized immune response to injury. When photoreceptors are damaged, only microglia (the eye's resident immune cells) respond. Neutrophils, which are typically the body's first responders to injury elsewhere, are actively not called upon. This phenomenon is described as a "cloaking" mechanism. It's a deliberate, active prevention of a generalized immune response that could cause more harm than good to the delicate retina. This selective and protective action is a powerful example of the eye "making decisions for its own good," prioritizing its long-term health over a standard, potentially damaging, bodily response.
Unconscious Biases and Perception for Utility: Studies on human and AI biases reveal that our perceptions are deeply rooted and an "unconscious part of vision," kicking in long before we can consciously think about what we see. Our visual system is "programmed to increase utility rather than to fully represent the world." This indicates that the eye inherently filters and interprets information based on what's most useful or beneficial, rather than providing a complete, neutral representation. This unconscious filtering and prioritizing clearly demonstrates the system "deciding" what information is relevant and how to present it, rather than simply being a passive receiver.
Conclusion
Collectively, these points strongly argue that the eye, from its rapid reflexes and intricate internal processing to its biased perception, acts as an active agent. It interprets, prioritizes, and responds to stimuli with its own inherent "intelligence" and decision-making capabilities, often bypassing or preceding conscious thought from the brain.