The Radically Embodied Conscious Cybernetic Bayesian Brain: From Free Energy to Free Will and Back Again

Entropy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 23(6), P. 783 - 783

Published: June 20, 2021

Drawing from both enactivist and cognitivist perspectives on mind, I propose that explaining teleological phenomena may require reappraising "Cartesian theaters" mental homunculi in terms of embodied self-models (ESMs), understood as body maps with agentic properties, functioning predictive-memory systems cybernetic controllers. Quasi-homuncular ESMs are suggested to constitute a major organizing principle for neural architectures due their initial ongoing significance solutions inference problems cognitive (and affective) development. Embodied experiences provide foundational lessons learning curriculums which agents explore increasingly challenging problem spaces, so answering an unresolved question Bayesian science: what biologically plausible mechanisms equipping learners sufficiently powerful inductive biases adequately constrain spaces? models neurophysiology, psychology, developmental robotics, describe how embodiment provides fundamental sources empirical priors (as reliably learnable posterior expectations). If play this kind role development, then bidirectional linkages will be found between all sensory modalities frontal-parietal control hierarchies, infusing senses somatic-motoric thereby structuring perception by relevant affordances, solving frame agents. upon the Free Energy Principle Active Inference framework, particular mechanism intentional action selection via consciously imagined explicitly represented) goal realization, where contrasts desired present states influence policy predictive coding backward-chained imaginings self-realizing predictions). This legacy suggests can intentionally shaped (internalized) partially-expressed motor acts, providing means attention, working memory, imagination, behavior. further nature(s) causation self-control, also account readiness potentials Libet paradigms wherein conscious intentions shape causal streams leading enaction. Finally, neurophenomenological handlings prototypical qualia including pleasure, pain, desire self-annihilating free energy gradients quasi-synesthetic interoceptive active inference. In brief, manuscript is intended illustrate radically minds create foundations intelligence capacity inference), consciousness somatically-grounded self-world modeling), deployment enacting valued goals).

Language: Английский

---

The Free Energy Principle for Perception and Action: A Deep Learning Perspective

Entropy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 24(2), P. 301 - 301

Published: Feb. 21, 2022

The free energy principle, and its corollary active inference, constitute a bio-inspired theory that assumes biological agents act to remain in restricted set of preferred states the world, i.e., they minimize their energy. Under this learn generative model world plan actions future will maintain agent an homeostatic state satisfies preferences. This framework lends itself being realized silico, as it comprehends important aspects make computationally affordable, such variational inference amortized planning. In work, we investigate tool deep learning design realize artificial based on presenting deep-learning oriented presentation surveying works are relevant both machine areas, discussing choices involved implementation process. manuscript probes newer perspectives for framework, grounding theoretical into more pragmatic affairs, offering practical guide newcomers starting point practitioners would like implementations principle.

Language: Английский

---

On the Varieties of Conscious Experiences: Altered Beliefs Under Psychedelics (ALBUS)

Published: Nov. 30, 2020

How is it that psychedelics so profoundly impact brain and mind? According to the model of "Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics" (REBUS), 5-HT2a agonism thought help relax prior expectations, thus making room for new perspectives patterns. Here we introduce an alternative (but largely compatible) perspective proposing REBUS effects may primarily correspond a particular potentially pivotal) regime very high levels receptor agonism. Depending on both variety contextual factors specific neural systems being considered, suggest opposite also occur in which synchronous activity becomes more powerful, with accompanying "Strengthened (SEBUS) effects. Such SEBUS are consistent enhanced meaning-making observed psychedelic therapy (e.g. psychological insight noetic quality mystical experiences), imposition expectations perception (e.g., hallucinations pareidolia), delusional thinking sometimes occurs apophenia, paranoia, engendering inaccurate interpretations events, false memories). With "Altered Psychedelics” (ALBUS), propose manifestation vs. vary across dose-response curve signaling. While explore diverse range complex ideas, our basic idea fundamentally simple: experiences can be understood as kinds waking dream states varying degrees lucidity, similar underlying mechanisms. We further demonstrate utility ALBUS by providing neurophenomenological models focusing mechanisms conscious perceptual synthesis, dreaming, well episodic memory mental simulation.

Language: Английский

---

An empirical evaluation of active inference in multi-armed bandits

Neural Networks, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 144, P. 229 - 246

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

A key feature of sequential decision making under uncertainty is a need to balance between exploiting-choosing the best action according current knowledge, and exploring-obtaining information about values other actions. The multi-armed bandit problem, classical task that captures this trade-off, served as vehicle in machine learning for developing algorithms proved be useful numerous industrial applications. active inference framework, an approach recently developed neuroscience understanding human animal behaviour, distinguished by its sophisticated strategy resolving exploration-exploitation trade-off. This makes exciting alternative already established algorithms. Here we derive efficient scalable approximate algorithm compare it two state-of-the-art algorithms: Bayesian upper confidence bound optimistic Thompson sampling. comparison done on types problems: stationary dynamic switching bandit. Our empirical evaluation shows does not produce long-term behaviour bandits. However, more challenging problem performs substantially better than results open venues further research theoretical applied learning, well lend additional credibility general framework studying behaviour.

Language: Английский

---

Neural Dynamics under Active Inference: Plausibility and Efficiency of Information Processing

Entropy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 23(4), P. 454 - 454

Published: April 12, 2021

Active inference is a normative framework for explaining behaviour under the free energy principle -- theory of self-organisation originating in neuroscience. It specifies neuronal dynamics state-estimation terms descent on (variational) measure fit between an internal (generative) model and sensory observations. The gradient prediction error plausibly encoded average membrane potentials populations. Conversely, expected probability state can be expressed firing rates. We show that this consistent with current models establish face validity by synthesising plausible electrophysiological responses. then these approximate natural descent, well-known optimisation algorithm from information geometry follows steepest objective space. compare length belief updating both schemes, distance traveled space has direct interpretation metabolic cost. neural active are metabolically efficient suggest representations biological agents may evolve approximating towards point optimal inference.

Language: Английский

---

How Active Inference Could Help Revolutionise Robotics

Entropy, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 24(3), P. 361 - 361

Published: March 2, 2022

Recent advances in neuroscience have characterised brain function using mathematical formalisms and first principles that may be usefully applied elsewhere. In this paper, we explain how active inference—a well-known description of sentient behaviour from neuroscience—can exploited robotics. short, inference leverages the processes thought to underwrite human build effective autonomous systems. These systems show state-of-the-art performance several robotics settings; highlight these framework used advance

Language: Английский

---

Order and change in art: towards an active inference account of aesthetic experience

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 379(1895)

Published: Dec. 18, 2023

How to account for the power that art holds over us? Why do artworks touch us deeply, consoling, transforming or invigorating in process? In this paper, we argue an answer question might emerge from a fecund framework cognitive science known as predictive processing (a.k.a. active inference). We unpack how approach connects sense-making and aesthetic experiences through idea of ‘epistemic arc’, consisting three parts (curiosity, epistemic action aha experiences), which cast aspects inference. then show arcs are built sustained by provide with those satisfying tend call ‘aesthetic’. Next, defuse two key objections approach; namely, it places undue emphasis on component our encounters—at expense affective aspects—and closure uncertainty minimization (order)—at openness lingering (change). offers crucial resources open-ended, free playful behaviour inherent experiences. The upshot is promising but deflationary approach, both philosophically informed psychologically sound, opens new empirical avenues understanding encounters. This article part theme issue ‘Art, aesthetics processing: theoretical perspectives’.

Language: Английский

---

Supervised structure learning

Biological Psychology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 193, P. 108891 - 108891

Published: Oct. 19, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Spatial and Temporal Hierarchy for Autonomous Navigation Using Active Inference in Minigrid Environment

Entropy, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 83 - 83

Published: Jan. 18, 2024

Robust evidence suggests that humans explore their environment using a combination of topological landmarks and coarse-grained path integration. This approach relies on identifiable environmental features (topological landmarks) in tandem with estimations distance direction (coarse-grained integration) to construct cognitive maps the surroundings. map is believed exhibit hierarchical structure, allowing efficient planning when solving complex navigation tasks. Inspired by human behaviour, this paper presents scalable active inference model for autonomous navigation, exploration, goal-oriented behaviour. The uses visual observation motion perception combine curiosity-driven exploration Motion planned different levels reasoning, i.e., from context place motion. allows new spaces rapid progress toward target. By incorporating these navigational strategies representation environment, proposes solution exploration. validated through simulations mini-grid environment.

Language: Английский

---

Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the free energy principle in biology

Biology & Philosophy, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(5)

Published: Aug. 23, 2021

Abstract According to the free energy principle, life is an “inevitable and emergent property of any (ergodic) random dynamical system at non-equilibrium steady state that possesses a Markov blanket” (Friston in J R Soc Interface 10(86):20130475, 2013). Formulating principle for sciences terms concepts from statistical physics, such as , ergodicity places substantial constraints on theoretical empirical study biological systems. Thus far, however, physics foundations have received hardly attention. Here, we start fill this gap analyse some challenges raised by applications modelling targets. Based our analysis, conclude model-building grounded exacerbates trade-off between generality realism, because fundamental mismatch its assumptions properties actual

Language: Английский

---