Biological Autonomy

History, philosophy and theory of the life sciences, Год журнала: 2015, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2015

Язык: Английский

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The Computational Boundary of a “Self”: Developmental Bioelectricity Drives Multicellularity and Scale-Free Cognition

Frontiers in Psychology, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 10

Опубликована: Дек. 13, 2019

All epistemic agents physically consist of parts that must somehow comprise an integrated cognitive self. Biological individuals subunits (organs, cells, and molecular networks) are themselves complex competent in their own native contexts. How do coherent biological Individuals result from the activity smaller sub-agents? To understand evolution function metazoan creatures' bodies minds, it is essential to conceptually explore origin multicellularity scaling basal cognition individual cells into a larger organism. In this article, I synthesize ideas science, evolutionary biology, developmental physiology toward hypothesis about Individuality: "Scale-Free Cognition." propose fundamental definition Individual based on ability pursue goals at appropriate level scale organization suggest formalism for defining comparing capacities highly diverse types agents. Any Self demarcated by computational surface - spatio-temporal boundary events can measure, model, try affect. This sets functional "light cone" which defines limits its cognition. hypothesize higher goal-directed agency, resulting boundaries, evolve primal homeostatic drive living things reduce stress difference between current conditions life-optimal conditions. The mechanisms bioelectricity all form electrical networks process information plausible set gradual steps naturally lead physiological homeostasis single memory, prediction, ultimately agents, via scale-up basic infotaxis. Recent data pre-neural model how increasingly sophisticated functions emerge smoothly cell-cell communication used guide embryogenesis regeneration. hypotheses provides novel perspective numerous phenomena, such as cancer, makes several unique, testable predictions interdisciplinary research have implications not only biology but also biomedicine perhaps artificial intelligence exobiology.

Язык: Английский

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Extended spider cognition

Animal Cognition, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 20(3), С. 375 - 395

Опубликована: Фев. 7, 2017

There is a tension between the conception of cognition as central nervous system (CNS) process and view extending towards body or contiguous environment. The centralised requires large complex systems to cope with environments. Conversely, extended involves outsourcing information processing environment, thus making fewer demands on power CNS. evolution should be particularly favoured among small, generalist predators such spiders, here, we review literature evaluate fit empirical data these contrasting models cognition. Spiders do not seem cognitively limited, displaying diversity learning processes, from habituation contextual learning, including sense numerosity. To tease apart cognition, apply mutual manipulability criterion, testing existence reciprocal causal links putative elements system. We conclude that web threads configurations are integral parts cognitive systems. extension helps explain some puzzling features spider behaviour seems promote evolvability within group, enhancing innovation through connectivity variable habitat features. Graded changes in relative brain size could also explained by environmental More generally, niche-constructed structures emerge prime candidates for animal generating selective pressures help shape evolving

Язык: Английский

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Theoretical principles for biology: Organization

Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 122(1), С. 24 - 35

Опубликована: Авг. 11, 2016

Язык: Английский

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How Organisms Come to Know the World: Fundamental Limits on Artificial General Intelligence

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9

Опубликована: Янв. 28, 2022

Artificial intelligence has made tremendous advances since its inception about seventy years ago. Self-driving cars, programs beating experts at complex games, and smart robots capable of assisting people that need care are just some among the successful examples machine intelligence. This kind progress might entice us to envision a society populated by autonomous performing same tasks humans do in near future. prospect seems limited only power complexity current computational devices, which is improving fast. However, there several significant obstacles on this path. General involves situational reasoning, taking perspectives, choosing goals, an ability deal with ambiguous information. We observe all these characteristics connected identifying exploiting new affordances—opportunities (or impediments) path agent achieve goals. A general example affordance use object hands agent. show it impossible predefine list such uses. Therefore, they cannot be treated algorithmically. means “AI agents” organisms differ their leverage affordances. Only can this. implies true AGI not achievable algorithmic frame AI research. It also important consequences for theory evolution. argue organismic agency strictly required truly open-ended evolution through radical emergence. discuss diverse ramifications argument, research evolution, but philosophy science.

Язык: Английский

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Individuality Through Ecology: Rethinking the Evolution of Complex Life From an Externalist Perspective

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 14(12)

Опубликована: Дек. 1, 2024

ABSTRACT The evolution of complex life forms, exemplified by multicellular organisms, can be traced through a series evolutionary transitions in individuality, beginning with the origin life, followed emergence eukaryotic cell, and, among other transitions, culminating shift from unicellularity to multicellularity. Several attempts have been made explain origins such many which internalist (i.e., based largely on internal properties ancestral entities). Here, we show how externalist perspectives shed new light questions pertaining individuality. We do this presenting ecological scaffolding framework forms arise an external scaffold. Ultimately, anticipate that progress will come recognition importance both and modes explanation. illustrate considering extension model cells modify environment later becomes scaffold giving rise

Язык: Английский

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Full Naturalism: The Objectivity of Subjective Points of View

Biological Theory, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 27, 2025

Язык: Английский

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The many faces of biological individuality

Biology & Philosophy, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 31(6), С. 761 - 773

Опубликована: Ноя. 1, 2016

Язык: Английский

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Who needs ‘lazy’ workers? Inactive workers act as a ‘reserve’ labor force replacing active workers, but inactive workers are not replaced when they are removed

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 12(9), С. e0184074 - e0184074

Опубликована: Сен. 6, 2017

Social insect colonies are highly successful, self-organized complex systems. Surprisingly however, most social contain large numbers of inactive workers. Although this may seem inefficient, it be that workers actually contribute to colony function. Indeed, the commonly proposed explanation for is they form a 'reserve' labor force becomes active when needed, thus helping mitigate effects workload fluctuations or worker loss. Thus, facilitate flexibility and resilience. However, idea has not been empirically confirmed. Here we test whether Temnothorax rugatulus ants replace (spending proportions time on specific tasks) completely immobile) experimentally removed. We show maintained pre-removal activity levels even after were removed, previously became subsequent removal Conversely, inactivity decreased remained lower post-removal. have mechanisms maintaining certain number workers, but set The rapid replacement (within 1 week) suggests tasks perform, mainly foraging brood care, necessary function short timescales. lack 2 weeks their any potential functions have, including being 'reserve', less important, auxiliary, do need immediate recovery. act as reserve still play role food stores colony, in facilitating colony-wide communication unlikely. Our results consistent with often cited, never yet supported hypothesis pool allow quickly take advantage novel resources

Язык: Английский

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The Concept of Agent in Biology: Motivations and Meanings

Biological Theory, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 19(1), С. 6 - 10

Опубликована: Июнь 28, 2023

Abstract Biological agency has received much attention in recent philosophy of biology. But what is the motivation for introducing talk into biology and meant by “agent”? Two distinct motivations can be discerned. The first that thinking organisms as agents helps to articulate distinctive about vis-à-vis other biological entities. second treating agent-like a useful heuristic understanding their evolved behavior. concept agent itself may understood at least four different ways: minimal agent, intelligent rational intentional agent. Which most appropriate depends on which two we are concerned with.

Язык: Английский

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