A continuity of Markov blanket interpretations under the free-energy principle

Behav Brain Sci. 2022 Sep 29:45:e208. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X2200036X.

Abstract

Bruineberg and colleagues helpfully distinguish between instrumental and ontological interpretations of Markov blankets, exposing the dangers of using the former to make claims about the latter. However, proposing a sharp distinction neglects the value of recognising a continuum spanning from instrumental to ontological. This value extends to the related distinction between "being" and "having" a model.

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