claim
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claim:morphogenesis-can-be-viewed-as-the-result-of-the-behavior-of-swarm-intelligence-of-cellsMorphogenesis can be viewed as the result of the behavior of swarm intelligence of cells.
Cells collectively solve anatomical problems, analogous to collective intelligence in social insects.
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extracted_from(2022) · Michael Levin
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- Levin-led research showing bioelectric signals encode and control anatomical goal states in living systems.
- Levin-influenced framework treating tissue-level morphogenesis as goal-directed, problem-solving intelligence via bioelectric signaling.
- Bioelectric and behavioral frameworks treating morphogenesis as problem-solving intelligence across scales, bridging Alexander's architectural principles with Levin's experimental regenerative biology.
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- Frames developmental biology as an instance of basal cognition.
- Levin's main interpretive reframing: rejects purely emergentist/mechanistic views of development in favor of treating morphogenesis as cybernetic, goal-directed problem-solving by cellular swarms.
- Cells work together to build structures in a context-dependent manner, meeting James' test of 'fixed ends with varying means'.
- Reframes developmental biology as collective cognition.
- Posits genuine goal-directedness in development.
- Claim supported by Goodwin's work, shifting emphasis away from DNA as sole morphogenetic driver toward form-generating principles inherent in spatial configuration.
- Morphogenesis is trainable via reinforcement learning for specific morphological outcomes.hypothesis0.849If cells form a collective intelligence, they should be trainable by rewards/punishments.