The Autonomy of the NS

• The NS (embodied and situated) is an autonomous systems because:

  • Integrity: The dynamic and far-from-equilibrium structure of the NS is maintained by:
    • the network of processes itself (cohesivelly and recursively)
    • a recursive interaction with the environment
  • Differentiation: The dynamic structure of the nervous system is distinguished from the interactive dynamics with the environment by its functional integration, i.e.:
    • a complexity asymmetry by which the internal processes are more complex that the interactive ones
    • system identity can be maintained across a different range of sensorimotor couplings