A Model Solution: On the Compatibility of Predictive Processing and Embodied Cognition

Abstract

Predictive processing (PP) and embodied cognition (EC) have emerged as two influential approaches within cognitive science in recent years. Not only have PP and EC been heralded as “revolutions” and “paradigm shifts” but they have motivated a number of new and interesting areas of research. This has prompted some to wonder how compatible the two views might be. This paper looks to weigh in on the issue of PP-EC compatibility. After outlining two recent proposals, I argue that further clarity can be achieved on the issue by considering a model of scientific progress. Specifically, I suggest that Larry Laudan’s “problem solving model” can provide important insights into a number of outstanding challenges that face existing accounts of PP-EC compatibility. I conclude by outlining additional implications of the problem solving model for PP and EC more generally.

The computational unconscious: Adaptive narrative control, psychopathology, and subjective well-being

“…This notion of prediction arises from the FEP, notably that internal states can be shown to track external states for any persisting system (Da Costa et al, 2021). This relationship to prediction has led to an association of active inference with the wider umbrella concept of predictive processing, though it is worth noting that these are not formally identical (Kersten, 2023).…”

“…A growing body of scientific research supports these claims, showing that meditation can foster positive changes in brain structure and function, leading to increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall improved subjective well-being (Sezer et al, 2022). More recently there is growing interest in further explicating advanced meditation including the developmental trajectory toward limits and endpoints of practice (Galante et al, 2023;2023;Wright et al, 2023;Sparby & Sacchet, 2022;Yang et al, 2023). It worth noting that there is evidence suggesting meditation is not always associated with improved subjective well-being (Britton, 2019), as there is with psychedelic use or therapy (Schlag et al, 2022), Active inference has been increasingly applied to the study of meditation (Pagnoni & Guareschi, 2017Laukkonen & Slagter, 2021;Laukkonen et al, 2023;Prest, 2021;Sandved-Smith et al, 2022).…”

Entropy, prediction and the cultural ecosystem of human cognition

“…The reason to call PP a framework rather than a theory is that it guides and constrains the development of more specific theories (Michel, 2022; see also Kersten, 2022). The framework encompasses theories defending a vision of the brain as a predictive engine, the main one being active inference (for a discussion of how active inference relates to other Bayesian approaches to the brain such as hierarchical predictive coding; see Bruineberg, Kiverstein, and Rietveld, 2016;Allen and Friston, 2018;Ramstead, Kirchhoff, and Friston, 2020;Ramstead et al, 2019).…”