The empire strikes back: Some responses to Bruineberg and colleagues

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the philosophical and formal aspects of the free-energy principle, focusing on distinctions made by Bruineberg et al. and their implications for scientific inference.

Contribution

It offers a critical analysis of the distinctions between Pearl blankets and Friston blankets, and between inference with and within a model, within the context of the free-energy principle.

Findings

Highlights the philosophical implications of the free-energy principle.

Challenges the distinction between different types of inference.

Provides insights into the formal constructs of the free-energy framework.

Abstract

In their target paper, Bruineberg and colleagues provide us with a timely opportunity to discuss the formal constructs and philosophical implications of the free-energy principle. I critically discuss their proposed distinction between Pearl blankets and Friston blankets. I then critically assess the distinction between inference with a model and inference within a model in light of instrumentalist approaches to science.