Eric De Giuli
theoretical physicist, Toronto Metropolitan University
former U of T, UBC, NYU, EPFL, ENS
- Published: Noise equals control. I detail an explicit mapping between stochastic systems and control theory, showing how goal-directed behaviour arises from purely causal stochastic systems. Illustrated with stochastic resonance & Brownian ratchets journals.aps.org/pre/abstract...
- arXiv version here: arxiv.org/abs/2503.15670
- My talk from @bioctrl.bsky.social about the physical origin of agency is uploaded here: youtube.com/watch?v=YY21... TLDR: noise equals control. Nature is constantly sampling control trajectories via noise
- This solves the conceptual `agency-body' problem of dualism, i.e. reconciling a mechanistic description of biology with an agential one
- It also solves a conceptual problem in the field theory of stochastic systems, which is the physical interpretation of the `momentum' field that is introduced as a Lagrange multiplier, or via other abstract methods. The field is a control strategy. Agency is part of Nature
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View full threadThe arXiv preprint is updated to a full-length article (10 pages + 7 pages SI).
- I'm very excited about this virtual talk, tomorrow at 11am ET, and open to everyone! I will explain precisely how and why agency is part of Nature, and illustrate the idea with some examples from biology and beyond. No complex mathematics.
- Tomorrow, Tue 24 June, join us for our monthly online seminar! Eric De Giuli from Toronto Metropolitan University will present their work "Noise equals endogenous control" at 5pm CET / 11am ET / 8am PT As always more information at biocontrolseminars.org
- @philipcball.bsky.social potentially of interest! This result is very aligned with your perspective, I believe
