The Free Energy Principle, Human Predilections and Philosophical Connections

The Free Energy Principle (FEP) is a mathematical theory for modeling the brain and biological systems. It applies to systems that are open to learning from experience and adjusting their internal models to improve event prediction. The concept of epistemic value within active inference aligns with the pragmatist’s aim of refining experience through reflection. It also resonates with the enactive approach to cognition in phenomenology, which emphasizes that our understanding of the world is shaped by active engagement with it. This paper presents a framework for accounting for human “co- and counter-active inference” driven by individual or group preferences. Proposals are made for modeling the influence of confirmation bias, fixed belief systems, limited world models, and indoctrination. Interpersonal effects and group dynamics are also examined. In all these cases, additional terms to capture these influences are proposed.