Free-energy pragmatics: Markov blankets don't prescribe objective ontology, and that's okay

Inês Hipólito, Thomas van Es

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/opinion

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We target the ontological and epistemological ramifications of the proposed distinction between Friston and Pearl blankets. We emphasize the need for empirical testing next to computational modeling. A peculiar aspect of the free energy principle (FEP) is its purported support of radically opposed ontologies of the mind. In our view, the objective ontological aspiration itself should be rejected for a pragmatic instrumentalist view.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere198
Number of pages2
JournalThe Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume45
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Sept 2022
Externally publishedYes

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