The Concept of Agency in Biology

The podcast episode explores the concept of agency in biology and its relationship to evolution. It discusses various notions of agency, such as intentional agents, intelligent agents, and minimal agents. While intentional agents require a mental representation of goals and deliberate action, other forms of agency can be seen in organisms that exhibit plasticity, flexibility, and decision-making abilities. The episode emphasizes that the application of the concept of agency depends on the scientific utility and the degree of integration and unity of purpose within the organism or group. It also raises questions about the extent of agency in multi-species groups and the ethical implications of anthropomorphizing non-human entities.