Thoughtforms Life Aastha Jain Simes and I Interview Pamela Lyon
Feb 25, 2025
In a captivating discussion, scholar Pamela Lyon explores her biogenic approach to cognition. She dives into how traditional Western cognitive models fell short and emphasizes the importance of grounding cognition in biology. Pamela unveils fascinating examples from microbes exhibiting cognitive traits, such as Bacillus subtilis, and discusses the collective behaviors of Myxococcus. The conversation also touches on the implications of viewing cognition across all living systems, and how this perspective could revolutionize neuroscience and even artificial intelligence.
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Biology Must Anchor Cognition Theory
- Pamela Lyon found cognitive science lacked biological grounding and clear principles.
- She argues cognition theories must be rooted in biology and evolution to be meaningful.
Deriving Biogenic Principles From Complexity
- Pamela synthesised literature on self-organizing systems to derive 'biogenic principles'.
- She demands cognition explanations must accord with principles from self-producing living systems.
The Social Predator Microbe Example
- Pamela describes Myxococcus xanthus as a predatory, social microbe that coordinates collective attacks and builds fruiting bodies.
- She recounts Dworkin's glass-bead experiment showing the microbe senses non-chemical cues and complexly navigates its environment.
