Episode

On the philosophy of simplification in computational neuroscience - with Mazviita Chirimuuta and Terrence Sejnowski - #29

Podcast
Theoretical Neuroscience Podcast
Published
Jun 21, 2025
Duration seconds
5054
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Summary

Computational neuroscientists rely on simplification when they make their models. But what is the right level of simplification? When should we, for example, use a biophysically detailed model and when a simplified abstract model when modelling neural dynamics? What are the problems of simplifying too much, or too little? This was the topic of the panel discussion between a science philosopher (MC), author of the recent book "The Brain Abstracted", and an experienced modeler (TS) at the FENS Regional Meeting in Oslo in June 2025.