eprintid: 1473042
rev_number: 22
eprint_status: archive
userid: 608
dir: disk0/01/47/30/42
datestamp: 2015-12-07 16:20:08
lastmod: 2021-09-19 23:48:17
status_changed: 2015-12-07 16:20:08
type: article
metadata_visibility: show
creators_name: Friston, KJ
creators_name: Frith, CD
title: Active inference, communication and hermeneutics
ispublished: pub
divisions: UCL
divisions: B02
divisions: C07
divisions: D07
divisions: F83
keywords: Active inference, Bayesian, Communication, Hermeneutics, Neuronal, Predictive coding, Synchronisation of chaos, Theory of mind
note: © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC
BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
abstract: Hermeneutics refers to interpretation and translation of text (typically ancient scriptures) but also applies to verbal and non-verbal communication. In a psychological setting it nicely frames the problem of inferring the intended content of a communication. In this paper, we offer a solution to the problem of neural hermeneutics based upon active inference. In active inference, action fulfils predictions about how we will behave (e.g., predicting we will speak). Crucially, these predictions can be used to predict both self and others--during speaking and listening respectively. Active inference mandates the suppression of prediction errors by updating an internal model that generates predictions--both at fast timescales (through perceptual inference) and slower timescales (through perceptual learning). If two agents adopt the same model, then--in principle--they can predict each other and minimise their mutual prediction errors. Heuristically, this ensures they are singing from the same hymn sheet. This paper builds upon recent work on active inference and communication to illustrate perceptual learning using simulated birdsongs. Our focus here is the neural hermeneutics implicit in learning, where communication facilitates long-term changes in generative models that are trying to predict each other. In other words, communication induces perceptual learning and enables others to (literally) change our minds and vice versa.
date: 2015-07-01
date_type: published
official_url: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2015.03.025
oa_status: green
full_text_type: pub
pmcid: PMC4502445
language: eng
primo: open
primo_central: open_green
article_type_text: Journal Article
verified: verified_manual
elements_id: 1033951
doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.03.025
pii: S0010-9452(15)00124-0
language_elements: eng
lyricists_name: Friston, Karl
lyricists_name: Frith, Christopher
lyricists_id: KJFRI52
lyricists_id: CFRIT00
actors_name: Barczynska, Patrycja
actors_id: PBARC91
actors_role: owner
full_text_status: public
publication: Cortex
volume: 68
pagerange: 129-143
event_location: Italy
issn: 1973-8102
citation:        Friston, KJ;    Frith, CD;      (2015)    Active inference, communication and hermeneutics.                   Cortex , 68    pp. 129-143.    10.1016/j.cortex.2015.03.025 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2015.03.025>.       Green open access   
 
document_url: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1473042/1/Active%20inference%2C%20communication%20and%20hermeneutics.pdf