The anticipating brain is not a scientist: the free-energy principle from an ecological-enactive perspective

Abstract

In this paper, we argue for a theoretical separation of the free-energy principle from Helmholtzian accounts of the predictive brain. The free-energy principle is a theoretical framework capturing the imperative for biological self-organization in information-theoretic terms. The free-energy principle has typically been connected with a Bayesian theory of predictive coding, and the latter is often taken to support a Helmholtzian theory of perception as unconscious inference. If our interpretation is right, however, a Helmholtzian view of perception is incompatible with Bayesian predictive coding under the free-energy principle. We argue that the free energy principle and the ecological and enactive approach to mind and life make for a much happier marriage of ideas. We make our argument based on three points. First we argue that the free energy principle applies to the whole animal-environment system, and not only to the brain. Second, we show that active inference, as understood by the free-energy principle, is incompatible with unconscious inference understood as 123Synthese analagous to scientific hypothesis-testing, the main tenet of a Helmholtzian view of perception. Third, we argue that the notion of inference at work in Bayesian predictive coding under the free-energy principle is too weak to support a Helmholtzian theory of perception. Taken together these points imply that the free energy principle is best understood in ecological and enactive terms set out in this paper.

Where There is Life There is Mind: In Support of a Strong Life-Mind Continuity Thesis

“…It specifies that for living systems to maintain their structural and functional integrity they must minimize "free energy" in the context of active inference: they must change their relationship to their niche in order preserve integrity [4,10,14]. The FEP is therefore the claim that all biological systems must actively resist a natural tendency for disorder [13,28].…”

“…All physical systems can be understood in terms of Shannon information. However, on this conception information "is just information in terms of (meaningless) energy transfer and should not be confused with intentional or semantic content" ( [13], p. 17). Yet, only some physical systems are generally assumed to manipulate representations with semantic content.…”

“…• Non-Cognitivist FEP + Evolutionary Latecomer Views of Mind (e.g., [12]) • Non-Cognitivist FEP + Strong Life-Mind Continuity Views ( [13,14] and this paper).…”

“…We are not alone in developing anti-cognitivist formulations of the FEP from the perspective of enactivism. Work by Bruineberg et al [13] and Kirchhoff [14,17] set the stage. Here is a list of the points on which we agree with Bruineberg et al [13]: (a) the Helmholtzian view of perception as unconscious inference is inherent to cognitivist formulations of the FEP; (b) there are good reasons to think that this Helmholtzian view of perceptual inference is incompatible with approximate Bayesian inference under a non-cognitivist formulation of the FEP; and (c) once viewed through the lens of enactivism, the FEP can address how life and mind share the same set of basic organizational properties.…”

“…Work by Bruineberg et al [13] and Kirchhoff [14,17] set the stage. Here is a list of the points on which we agree with Bruineberg et al [13]: (a) the Helmholtzian view of perception as unconscious inference is inherent to cognitivist formulations of the FEP; (b) there are good reasons to think that this Helmholtzian view of perceptual inference is incompatible with approximate Bayesian inference under a non-cognitivist formulation of the FEP; and (c) once viewed through the lens of enactivism, the FEP can address how life and mind share the same set of basic organizational properties. The main difference between Bruineberg et al [13] and this paper is that while Bruineberg et al ( [13]; see also [18]) aim to establish that the function of generative models is to maintain a robust brain-body-niche system (see [17] for a metaphysical treatment), we directly target a strong life-mind continuity thesis, further developing recent arguments in [14].…”