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Chemical Basis for Minimal Cognition

Chemical Basis for Minimal Cognition We have developed a simple chemical system capable of self-movement in order to study the physicochemical origins of movement. We propose how this system may be useful in the study of minimal perception and cognition. The system consists simply of an oil droplet in an aqueous environment. A chemical reaction within the oil droplet induces an instability, the symmetry of the oil droplet breaks, and the droplet begins to move through the aqueous phase. The complement of physical phenomena that is then generated indicates the presence of feedback cycles that, as will be argued, form the basis for self-regulation, homeostasis, and perhaps an extended form of autopoiesis. We discuss the result that simple chemical systems are capable of sensory-motor coupling and possess a homeodynamic state from which cognitive processes may emerge. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Artificial Life MIT Press

Chemical Basis for Minimal Cognition

Artificial Life , Volume 16 (3) – Jul 1, 2010

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References (59)

Publisher
MIT Press
Copyright
© 2010 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Subject
Articles
ISSN
1064-5462
eISSN
1530-9185
DOI
10.1162/artl_a_00002
pmid
20586578
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

We have developed a simple chemical system capable of self-movement in order to study the physicochemical origins of movement. We propose how this system may be useful in the study of minimal perception and cognition. The system consists simply of an oil droplet in an aqueous environment. A chemical reaction within the oil droplet induces an instability, the symmetry of the oil droplet breaks, and the droplet begins to move through the aqueous phase. The complement of physical phenomena that is then generated indicates the presence of feedback cycles that, as will be argued, form the basis for self-regulation, homeostasis, and perhaps an extended form of autopoiesis. We discuss the result that simple chemical systems are capable of sensory-motor coupling and possess a homeodynamic state from which cognitive processes may emerge.

Journal

Artificial LifeMIT Press

Published: Jul 1, 2010

Keywords: Chemotaxis; cognition; homeostasis; interfacial tension; oil droplet

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