Nested Selves: Self-Organization and Shared Markov Blankets in Prenatal Development in Humans

Area of Science:

• Human Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• The immune system is crucial for human biological function.
• Pregnancy represents a fundamental state of embodiment and species evolution.
• Hierarchical biological organization begins early, even in embryonic development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore biological self-organization within nested systems, specifically during pregnancy.
• To investigate the role of the immune system alongside neural systems in self-organization and selfhood.
• To understand the negotiation between two immune systems in pregnancy for maintaining self-regulation.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of biological self-organization in pregnancy.
• Examination of immune system interactions between mother and fetus.
• Application of Active Inference framework, focusing on shared Markov blankets.

Main Results:

• Pregnancy highlights complex interactions between two distinct self-organizing systems.
• The immune system plays a key role in mediating these interactions.
• Active Inference with shared Markov blankets offers a framework for understanding these nested systems.

Conclusions:

• The relationship between maternal and fetal immune systems in pregnancy is a model for biological self-organization.
• Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending self-regulation and the sense of self.
• Active Inference provides a promising theoretical lens for future research in this area.