Introduction: The Origin of Life (OOL) Problem

• The OOL problem is often viewed as a chemistry issue: how do the right molecules come together to create life?
• However, this paper suggests that the OOL is also a cognitive science problem, not just a chemistry problem.
• Understanding life from a cognitive perspective means considering whether all persistent systems might have some form of cognition.
• The paper introduces the Conway-Kochen (CK) theorem and the Free Energy Principle (FEP) to reframe this problem.

The Conway-Kochen Theorem

• The CK theorem shows that all systems have some level of agency, meaning they behave in ways that are not entirely predictable by local causes.
• This theorem suggests that even simple physical systems like electrons exhibit some form of decision-making ability.
• It challenges the idea that only biological systems are agents, implying that all systems, even non-living ones, might act with some autonomy.

The Free Energy Principle (FEP)

• The FEP describes how systems maintain themselves in a distinguishable state from their environment over time.
• To do this, a system must minimize its uncertainty (free energy) about its environment, which helps it survive and persist.
• The FEP suggests that all systems, whether biological or not, behave like agents trying to minimize stress from their environment.

Life Equals Cognition: Are Life and Cognition the Same?

• The CK theorem and FEP suggest that life and cognition are inseparable. All systems that persist in time might be considered cognitive to some degree.
• This challenges the traditional view that cognition is only a feature of living beings, like humans or animals.
• Even non-living systems like molecules or bacteria might be considered to have some form of cognition, depending on their complexity.

Communication and Cognitive Systems

• The FEP implies that systems communicate with each other by minimizing uncertainty (free energy) about their environment.
• Understanding how different systems communicate and solve problems depends on understanding their internal processes.
• Communication is not just limited to humans or animals but could apply to any complex system.

The Fermi Paradox and Extraterrestrial Life

• The Fermi Paradox asks why we haven’t found evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, even though the universe is vast.
• The FEP suggests that there may be many forms of intelligent life out there, but we might not recognize it because it is so different from us.
• Understanding extraterrestrial life requires us to look beyond our anthropocentric view and accept that life may not look like us or behave like us.

The Drake Equation and the FEP

• The Drake Equation estimates the number of intelligent extraterrestrial systems in the galaxy.
• The FEP suggests that intelligent life is widespread, but we may not be able to detect it because it may not match our expectations.
• Instead of focusing on searching for technological artifacts, we need to develop new ways to recognize and communicate with non-human intelligences.

Key Conclusions

• The OOL problem is not just a chemistry problem but a cognitive science problem.
• All systems that persist over time may have some degree of cognition, making life and cognition inseparable.
• Understanding and communicating with diverse intelligences in the universe, both biological and non-biological, is essential to resolving the OOL problem.

生命的起源问题

• 生命起源问题通常被视为化学问题：如何让合适的分子在适当的条件下聚集，启动自催化过程，维持生命。
• 然而，这篇论文认为，生命起源不仅是化学问题，也是认知科学问题。
• 从认知的角度理解生命，意味着考虑所有持续存在的系统是否可能具有某种认知。
• 论文通过介绍康威-科肯定理（CK定理）和自由能原理（FEP）来重新审视这一问题。

康威-科肯定理

• CK定理表明，所有系统都有某种程度的代理性，这意味着它们的行为不是完全由局部原因可预测的。
• 该定理表明，即使是像电子这样的简单物理系统，也表现出某种决策能力。
• 它挑战了只有生物系统才是代理体的观念，暗示即使是非生命系统也可能表现出某种自主性。

自由能原理（FEP）

• FEP描述了系统如何维持自己与环境的可区分状态。
• 为了做到这一点，系统必须最小化它对环境的“不确定性”（自由能），从而帮助它生存和延续。
• FEP认为，所有系统，无论是生物的还是非生物的，都像代理体一样，试图最小化来自环境的压力。

生命等于认知：生命与认知是否相同？

• CK定理和FEP表明，生命与认知是不可分割的。所有持续存在的系统都可能在某种程度上是认知的。
• 这挑战了传统观点，即认知只是生物体特有的特征，如人类或动物。
• 即使是像分子或细菌这样的非生命系统，根据其复杂性，也可能被认为具有某种形式的认知。

沟通与认知系统

• FEP意味着系统通过最小化对环境的不确定性（自由能）来与彼此沟通。
• 理解不同系统如何沟通和解决问题，取决于理解它们的内部过程。
• 沟通不仅限于人类或动物，而是适用于任何复杂系统。

费米悖论与外星生命

• 费米悖论提出，为什么我们没有找到外星智能生命的证据，尽管宇宙非常广阔。
• FEP认为，宇宙中可能有许多不同形式的智能生命，但我们可能无法识别它们，因为它们与我们如此不同。
• 理解外星生命需要我们超越人类中心主义，接受生命可能不会像我们一样看起来或表现出来。

德雷克方程与FEP

• 德雷克方程估算银河系中可以探测到的智能外星系统的数量。
• FEP认为，智能生命是广泛存在的，但我们可能无法探测到它，因为它可能不符合我们的预期。
• 我们需要开发新的方法来识别和与非人类智能进行沟通，而不是仅仅寻找技术遗迹。

主要结论

• 生命起源问题不仅是化学问题，也是认知科学问题。
• 所有在时间中持续存在的系统可能具有某种程度的认知，生命与认知是不可分割的。
• 理解并与宇宙中多样的智能进行沟通，无论是生物的还是非生物的，是解决生命起源问题的关键。