Active Inference & The Emergence of Philosophical Thought

Описание: In this episode of Provisional Aspirations with Thomas W. Moore, we take a close look at Karl J. Friston’s Free Energy Principle and Active Inference, as outlined in Active Inference — The Free Energy Principle in Mind, Brain, and Behavior by Thomas Parr, Giovanni Pezzulo, and Friston. We focus on the diagram on page 44—a simple yet deep illustration of a brain, a world, and infinite bi-directional loops tied together by a Markov blanket—showing the statistical roots of human thought, behavior, and even artificial intelligence.

Is it really that simple? No hidden mysteries, just a clear mathematical model of minimizing free energy to keep systems balanced—whether it’s a mammal hunting for food or an algorithm tracking your eyes. Friston’s ideas connect cognitive psychology, psychopathology, philosophy, and neuroscience, giving us a single framework to understand synaptic message-passing, clinical therapy, and more. We’ll examine how Active Inference explains decisions in the body and mind, and why science can sometimes feel like it strips away the magic—or reveals something just as fascinating.

Thomas W. Moore links Friston’s work to the perspectives of neuropsychoanalysts Mark Solms and George Northoff, exploring its impact on consciousness, AI, and psychotherapy. From dopamine’s role in updating beliefs to the philosophical side of overthinking, this episode wraps up with a question: Will you adjust your beliefs, or shift your world?

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Listen in for a straightforward discussion that’s perfect for anyone interested in the mind, body, and the systems linking them.