Project description Challenging current ThinkingDespite eminent and numerous attempts to understand complex thinking, insight problem solving and language acquisition, one is left with the feeling that an essential component of these processes is being overlooked. This project offers and elaborates the Neural Replicator Hypothesis (NRH) stating that this missing ingredient is true Darwinian neurodynamics of replicators within the brain itself. Previous related approaches have been either sketchy, metaphorical, merely philosophical, or have used selection but not replication. INSIGHT is based on, and will refine, plausible neurobiological foundations of neuronal replicators despite the fact that neurons do not reproduce. It will show that Darwinian neurodynamics offers a credible and efficient algorithm for approximate Bayesian inference in the brain. The project will investigate the NRH in three ways: (1) The hypothesis will be worked out rigorously using formal models and computer simulations, (2) Its empirical relevance will be tested both from the viewpoint of neurophysiology using cell cultures, and from the viewpoint of human psychology using psychological experiments and neuroimaging. (3) Its ICT application potential is tested for two critical domains: robotics and language communication. Robotics work will test whether Darwinian neurodynamic controllers can be constructed that allow robots to engage in open-ended creative autonomous exploration.Language processing research will test whether detailed models of language learning that are based on a replicator dynamics of grammatical constructions is effective for explaining and synthesizing creative linguistic performance. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Despite eminent and numerous attempts to understand complex thinking, insight problem solving and language acquisition, one is left with the feeling that an essential component of these processes is being overlooked. This project offers and elaborates the Neural Replicator Hypothesis (NRH) stating that this missing ingredient is true Darwinian neurodynamics of replicators within the brain itself. Previous related approaches have been either sketchy, metaphorical, merely philosophical, or have used selection but not replication. INSIGHT is based on, and will refine, plausible neurobiological foundations of neuronal replicators despite the fact that neurons do not reproduce. It will show that Darwinian neurodynamics offers a credible and efficient algorithm for approximate Bayesian inference in the brain. The project will investigate the NRH in three ways: (1) The hypothesis will be worked out rigorously using formal models and computer simulations, (2) Its empirical relevance will be tested both from the viewpoint of neurophysiology using cell cultures, and from the viewpoint of human psychology using psychological experiments and neuroimaging. (3) Its ICT application potential is tested for two critical domains: robotics and language communication. Robotics work will test whether Darwinian neurodynamic controllers can be constructed that allow robots to engage in open-ended creative autonomous exploration. Language processing research will test whether detailed models of language learning that are based on a replicator dynamics of grammatical constructions is effective for explaining and synthesizing creative linguistic performance. Fields of science natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsstatistics and probabilitybayesian statisticsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringroboticssocial sciencespsychologypsycholinguisticsnatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) FP7-ICT - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Information and communication technologies Topic(s) ICT-2011.9.1 - Challenging current Thinking Call for proposal FP7-ICT-2011-C See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP - Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator PARMENIDES STIFTUNG EU contribution € 592 080,00 Address Hindenburgstr. 15 82343 Pocking Germany See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern Starnberg Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Eörs Szathmáry (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution € 529 015,00 Address Batiment ce 3316 station 1 1015 Lausanne See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Dario Floreano (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSIDAD POMPEU FABRA Spain EU contribution € 423 514,00 Address Placa de la merce, 10-12 08002 Barcelona See on map Region Este Cataluña Barcelona Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Eva Martin (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data IN SRL IMPRESA SOCIALE Italy EU contribution € 70 000,00 Address Via carducci 9a 33100 Udine See on map Region Nord-Est Friuli-Venezia Giulia Udine Activity type Other Administrative Contact Laura Martinelli (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX United Kingdom EU contribution € 491 354,00 Address Sussex house falmer BN1 9RH Brighton See on map Region South East (England) Surrey, East and West Sussex Brighton and Hove Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Amanda Britt (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON Participation ended United Kingdom EU contribution € 113 116,00 Address 327 mile end road E1 4NS London See on map Region London Inner London — East Tower Hamlets Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Reuben Almeida (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data