Structural Realism About the Free Energy Principle, the Best of Both Worlds

DAVOODY BENI M.

JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, 2024 (AHCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10838-024-09673-w
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL FOR GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Philosopher's Index
  • Keywords: Entropy, Free energy principle, Real patterns, Scientific progress, Structural realism
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

There are realist and antirealist interpretations of the free energy principle (FEP). This paper aims to chart out a structural realist interpretation of FEP. To do so, it draws on Worrall's (Dialectica 43(1-2): 99-124, 1989) proposal. The general insight of Worrall's paper is that there is progress at the level of the structure of theories rather than their content. To enact Worrall's strategy in the context of FEP, this paper will focus on characterising the formal continuity between fundamental equations of thermodynamics-such as Boltzmann's equation and Gibbs's equation-on the one hand, and Friston's characterisation of FEP on the other. Lack of a universal consensus on the physical character of entities that feature in thermodynamics, information theory and FEP notwithstanding, I argue that there is structural continuity and unity at the level of mathematical equations that regiment entropy, information and free energy. The existence of such structural continuity and unity provides grounds for structural realism about FEP.