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The Coordination of Probabilistic Inference in Neural Systems

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Computing Nature

Part of the book series: Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics ((SAPERE,volume 7))

Abstract

Life, thought of as adaptively organised complexity, depends upon information and inference, which is nearly always inductive, because the world, though lawful, is far from being wholly predictable. There are several influential theories of probabilistic inference in neural systems, but here I focus on the theory of Coherent Infomax, and its relation to the theory of free energy reduction. Coherent Infomax shows, in principle, how life can be preserved and improved by coordinating many concurrent inferences. It argues that neural systems combine local reliability with flexible, holistic, context-sensitivity. What this perspective contributes to our understanding of neuronal inference is briefly outlined by relating it to cognitive and neurophysiological studies of context-sensitivity and gain-control, psychotic disorganization, theories of the Bayesian brain, and predictive coding. Limitations of the theory and unresolved issues are noted, emphasizing those that may be of interest to philosophers, and including the possibility of major transitions in the evolution of inferential capabilities.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK

    William A. Phillips

  2. Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    William A. Phillips

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  1. William A. Phillips
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Correspondence to William A. Phillips .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , School of Innovation, Design and Eng., Mälardalen University, Västerås, 72123, Sweden

    Gordana Dodig-Crnkovic

  2. , Faculty of Philosophy, Pontifical Lateran University, Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano 4, Vatican City, 00120, Italy

    Raffaela Giovagnoli

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Phillips, W.A. (2013). The Coordination of Probabilistic Inference in Neural Systems. In: Dodig-Crnkovic, G., Giovagnoli, R. (eds) Computing Nature. Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37225-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37225-4_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-37224-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-37225-4

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