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The first prior: From co-embodiment to co-homeostasis in early life

Ciaunica, A; Constant, A; Preissl, H; Fotopoulou, K; (2021) The first prior: From co-embodiment to co-homeostasis in early life. Consciousness and Cognition , 91 , Article 103117. 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103117. Green open access

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Abstract

The idea that our perceptions in the here and now are influenced by prior events and experiences has recently received substantial support and attention from the proponents of the Predictive Processing (PP) and Active Inference framework in philosophy and computational neuroscience. In this paper we look at how perceptual experiences get off the ground from the outset, in utero. One basic yet overlooked aspect of current PP approaches is that human organisms first develop within another human body. Crucially, while not all humans will have the experience of being pregnant or carrying a baby, the experience of being carried and growing within another person's body is universal. Specifically, we focus on the development of minimal selfhood in utero as a process co-embodiment and co-homeostasis, and highlight their close relationship. We conclude with some implications on several critical questions fuelling current debates on the nature of conscious experiences, minimal self and social cognition.

Type: Article
Title: The first prior: From co-embodiment to co-homeostasis in early life
Location: United States
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2021.103117
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2021.103117
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Keywords: Active inference, Allostasis, Embodiment, Homeostasis, In utero perception, Minimal self, Predictive processing, Consciousness, Homeostasis, Humans, Philosophy
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10160837
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