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The Natural Emergence of (Bio)Semiosic Phenomena.

J H van Hateren1

  • 1Johann Bernouilli Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 407, 9700 AK Groningen, The Netherlands.

Biosemiotics
|December 8, 2015
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Summary

Biological organisms exhibit real agency and goal-directed behavior, not just apparent behavior. A new theory explains this emergence through a feedback loop linking internal fitness signs to actual fitness, consistent with biosemiotics.

Keywords:
AgencyCausationEmergenceMeaningPeirceSemiotics

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Area of Science:

  • * Philosophy of Biology
  • * Biosemiotics
  • * Theoretical Biology

Background:

  • * Organisms display behaviors suggesting agency, goals, and meaning.
  • * Debate exists whether these properties are real emergent phenomena or mere 'as if' consequences of physiology.
  • * Biosemiotics studies meaning in living systems, providing a framework for understanding biological properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To present and discuss a recent theory on the emergence of agency and meaning in biological organisms.
  • * To demonstrate the consistency of this theory with fundamental principles of biosemiotics.
  • * To argue for the reality of biological agency and goal-directedness as emergent properties.

Main Methods:

  • * Conceptual analysis of a novel theory explaining biological agency.
  • * Comparison of the theory's structure to Peirce's semiotic triad.
  • * Examination of the role of a feedback loop involving internalized fitness (expected reproductive rate) and true fitness.

Main Results:

  • * The theory posits that an internalized 'sign' of fitness refers to true fitness via a feedback loop.
  • * This feedback loop integrates deterministic and stochastic causation, leading to the emergence of genuine agency and meaning.
  • * The emergent properties are considered a strong form of emergence, irreducible to constituent parts.

Conclusions:

  • * The presented theory supports the view that biological agency, goal-directedness, and meaning are real emergent phenomena.
  • * This theoretical framework aligns well with core concepts in biosemiotics.
  • * These emergent properties are essential for a comprehensive understanding of living organisms.