On the origins of anticipation as an evolutionary framework: functional systems perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the problem of anticipation from an evolutionary and systems-theoretical perspective, developed in the context of Russian/Soviet evolutionary biological and neurophysiological schools in the early and mid-twentieth century. On this background, an outline is given of the epigenetic interpretation of anticipatory capacities formulated and substantiated by the eminent Russian neurophysiologist academician Peter K. Anokhin in the framework of functional systems theory. It is considered that several key positions of this theory are well confirmed by recent evidence on anticipation as an evolutionarily basic adaptive capacity, possibly inherent to the organization of life. In the field of neuroscience, the theory of functional systems may potentially facilitate future studies at the intersection of learning, development and evolution by representing an integrative approach to the problem of anticipation.

Towards the semiotics of the future: From anticipation to premediation

“…Bernstein did not, of course, develop his ideas in isolation. Similar ideas, particularly on model-based anticipation, were developed by his contemporaries Aleksej Uhtomskij and Per Anohin (1898-1974) (for further information, see Nadin 2015a; Kurismaa 2015). However, I will hereby concentrate mainly on Bernstein as an explicit source for Ivanov.…”

Beyond “Uniqueness”: Habitual Traits in the Context of Cognitive-Communicative Continuity

“…Multicomponent structure stands in sharp contrast with the modular accounts of mind and is gaining more evidence from neuroscience and evolutionary studies (de Waal & Ferrari, 2010). The application of evolutionary logic to the multicomponent, systemic account of the mind and language suggests that the aggregation of existing components in a new manner can produce novel functions (Toomela, 2010;Kurismaa, 2015). Thus, the new abilities not necessarily appear in evolution "from scratch", but rather a unique functional ability is created by a particular assembling of non-unique characteristics.…”