Hierarchical Decoupling

• Hierarchical Decoupling of the NS from Metabolism:

  • Metabolism generates and sustains a dynamical system (the NS) minimising its local interference with it.
  • Hierarchical: metabolism produces and maintains the architecture of the NS.
  • Decoupling: metabolism underdetermines the activity of the NS (which depends on its internal dynamics and its embodied SM coupling with the environment).

• Operationally:

  • If we are to predict the state of the NS, local states of cell metabolism are not going to be enough: much more important are the electrochemical states of other neurons and the SM-coupling with the environment.