Exploring Belief-Free Model Selection and the Concept of Free Energy in Active Inference

A deep dive into belief-free model selection based on contextual cues and the triggering of physiological responses such as seeking food, without explicit calculation of expected free energy. The chapter also discusses the trade-offs in simplifying computational models for biological feasibility, the implications of minimizing free energy in artificial versus biological systems, and the debates around higher-order priors in ensuring free energy minimization. Additionally, the conversation explores fundamental questions of teleology, natural selection versus active inference, and the impact of evolution and mutations on active inference theories.