Markov blankets and Bayesian territories. (29th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beck, Jeff
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 45(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-29
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X22000619
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: Bruineberg et al. argue that one ought not confuse the map (model) for the territory (reality) and delineate a distinction between innocuous Pearl blankets and metaphysically laden Friston blankets. I argue that all we have are models, all knowledge is conditional, and that if there is a Pearl/Friston distinction, it is a matter of the domain of application: latents or observations. This suggests that, if anything, Friston blankets may inherit philosophical significance previously assigned to observations.