Colombo, Matteo and Wright, Cory (2017) First principles in the life sciences: The free-energy principle, organicism, and mechanism. [Preprint]
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Abstract
The free-energy principle claims that biological systems behave adaptively maintaining their physical integrity only if they minimize the free energy of their sensory states. Originally proposed to account for perception, learning, and action, the free-energy principle has been applied to the evolution, development, morphology, and function of the brain, and has been called a “postulate,” a “mandatory principle,” and an “imperative.” While it might afford a theoretical foundation for understanding the complex relationship between physical environment, life, and mind, its epistemic status and scope are unclear. Also unclear is how the free-energy principle relates to prominent theoretical approaches to life science phenomena, such as organicism and mechanicism. This paper clarifies both issues, and identifies limits and prospects for the free-energy principle as a first principle in the life sciences.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | adaptation; free energy; life; mechanism; organicism | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Complex Systems General Issues > Laws of Nature |
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| Depositing User: | Cory Wright | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 05 Jul 2018 09:08 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 05 Jul 2018 09:08 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 14844 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Complex Systems General Issues > Laws of Nature |
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| Date: | 2017 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14844 |
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First principles in the life sciences: The free-energy principle, organicism, and mechanism. (deposited 11 Jun 2018 16:13)
- First principles in the life sciences: The free-energy principle, organicism, and mechanism. (deposited 05 Jul 2018 09:08) [Currently Displayed]
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