Mind & Matter Cognition, Form, Regeneration & Metaphysics: Does Biology Arise From Math? | Michael Levin | 250
Sep 7, 2025
Michael Levin, a biologist and director at Tufts University, dives into the fascinating intersection of biology and mathematics. He discusses how bioelectric patterns guide tissue development, encoding anatomical information like memory. Levin explores the regeneration differences among species, attributing them to both genetic and bioelectric factors. He intriguingly posits that biology operates within a structured mathematical space, sparking a conversation on the implications for neuroscience and our understanding of intelligence.
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Cognition Is A Broad Functional Spectrum
- Michael Levin treats cognition as a spectrum of functions, not limited to brains or language.
- He validates cognitive claims by whether neuroscience tools produce new, useful science outside brains.
Bioelectricity Predates And Guides Shape
- Electrophysiology predates neurons and served ancient tasks like coordinating anatomical shape.
- Developmental bioelectric networks solve navigational problems in morphospace using analog computation.
Analog Voltage Patterns Encode Anatomy
- Non-neural cells use ion channels and gap junctions to form spatial, analog voltage patterns.
- These patterns are slow, network-level and encode organ-level information rather than single-cell codes.