Enough blanket metaphysics, time for data-driven heuristics

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Computational Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The free energy principle (FEP) is a prominent theoretical framework in neuroscience and cognitive science.
• Criticisms regarding the practical application and theoretical underpinnings of FEP, particularly concerning "blanket discovery," have been raised by Bruineberg and colleagues.
• These criticisms have often been downplayed within the FEP literature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To strengthen and elaborate on existing criticisms of the free energy principle (FEP).
• To argue against the feasibility of "blanket discovery" as proposed within the FEP framework.
• To advocate for a return to heuristic applications of related concepts, specifically Pearl blankets.

Main Methods:

• Formal analysis of the requirements for "blanket discovery" within the free energy principle.
• Critique of the assumption that a full formal description of a system is available at the outset for blanket discovery.
• Comparative analysis of "blanket metaphysics" versus heuristic approaches.

Main Results:

• The study argues that "blanket discovery," even if computationally tractable, necessitates a complete formal description of the system under investigation from the beginning.
• This requirement renders the concept of blanket metaphysics as currently formulated within FEP futile.
• The findings support the utility of heuristic applications of concepts like Pearl blankets over the theoretical construct of blanket metaphysics.

Conclusions:

• The theoretical framework of the free energy principle faces significant challenges regarding its practical implementation, particularly "blanket discovery."
• The requirement for a complete system description at the outset makes blanket metaphysics an unachievable goal.
• A shift towards heuristic methodologies, such as the use of Pearl blankets, is recommended for advancing research in related fields.