Thoughtforms Life “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of the Behavioral Sciences in Developmental Biology and Biomedicine”
Dec 11, 2025
Michael Levin, a renowned professor in developmental biology, explores fascinating intersections of behavioral science and bioelectricity. He discusses agential cells and goal-directed regeneration, revealing how living systems elegantly adapt. Levin showcases eye-building techniques via remote bioelectric signals and introduces innovative creatures like xenobots. He also touches on the ethical ramifications of interfacing with diverse intelligences, emphasizing the need for a responsible future in bioengineering. Expect mind-bending insights that redefine life and intelligence.
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Behavioral Science Applies Downward
- Developmental biology blurs the matter-to-mind boundary and forces us to address the mind-body problem empirically.
- Michael Levin argues behavioral-science concepts apply down to cells and morphogenesis.
Morphogenesis As Collective Intelligence
- Morphogenesis functions as a collective intelligence navigating anatomical morphospace rather than simple open-loop chemistry.
- Levin highlights multi-scale competency where cells use information-processing tools to reach goals in morphospace.
Axolotl Limb As Goal-Directed Repair
- Axolotl limb regeneration shows context-sensitive goal-directed rebuilding that stops when the correct limb appears.
- Levin uses this to argue development is not mere feed-forward emergence but includes set-point homeostasis.