To see or not to see, that is the question. The difference between an organism and an object is that the organism can sense the world around it. It’s sentient. Organism needs to sense the world around in order to stay alive. It needs to sense the presence of food, and the presence of threat, in order to move. It needs to distinguish between ally and rival in order to form relationships.

Wind and water cannot see obstacles. They strike into the obstacle and only then turn. Plants can sense the obstacle and opportunity and accordingly grow their branches and roots. Animal movements are guided by sight and sound and smell, and even invisible vibrations and radiations, where food is likely to be, and where there is less risk of danger.