Project description
Rethinking brain function: from prediction to anticipation
In theoretical neuroscience, the brain is often viewed as a prediction machine, but Predictive Processing theories face challenges within the causal-mechanistic framework due to their reliance on semantic concepts. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BeyondInformation project will provide an explanation for neuroscientific data traditionally framed in terms of information processing and prediction. The project seeks to replace the problematic notion of prediction with an empirically supported biological concept of anticipation. It will apply this notion of anticipation-without-prediction to neuroscientific findings and further study it at the microbiological level through lab experiments. This alternative approach has the potential to create a paradigm-shifting impact.
Objective
Within theoretical neuroscience, many have by now embraced the view of the brain as a prediction machine which updates its predictions in light of incoming information. Yet, these ‘Predictive Processing’ theories (PP) face big conceptual challenges. As I've shown previously, by relying on semantic notions like information, representation, prediction, hypothesis-testing etc., they resist integration within the larger causal-mechanistic framework of which they claim to be a part. The twofold problem is, first, how to make naturalistic sense of semantic content or meaning at the level of individual neurons or neural populations and, second, how the assumed semantic content is supposed to be causally efficacious. Yet, if we can’t understand the neuroscientific data in terms of upstream information, downstream prediction and resulting prediction errors, how, then, should the neuroscientist interpret the bidirectional neural activity? Via 3 complementary research objectives (RO1-03), this project is aimed at providing an alternative explanation for the neuroscientific data which is traditionally framed in terms of information processing and, more recently, information prediction. For RO1, the pivotal move will be to substitute the problematic notion of prediction with an empirically underpinned biological notion of anticipation that does not involve semantic content, and which does fit within the boundaries of the causal-mechanistic framework. With RO2, this notion of anticipation-without-prediction will be applied to the neuroscientific findings the PP theorist explains in terms of prediction. RO3 will be dedicated to further study anticipation-without-prediction at the microbiological level via lab experiment. Overall, the project aims to present an alternative to the computationalist view of the brain, which identifies neural activity with information processing. In this sense, the project has paradigm-shifting potential.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
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