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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/theoretical-neuroscience-podcast-6657149/on-the-philosophy-of-simplification-in-computational-neuroscience-with-mazviita-chirimuuta-and-terrence-sejnowski-29
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/theoretical-neuroscience-podcast-6657149/on-the-philosophy-of-simplification-in-computational-neuroscience-with-mazviita-chirimuuta-and-terrence-sejnowski-29.md
Podcast: [Theoretical Neuroscience Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/theoretical-neuroscience-podcast-6657149)
Published: 2025-06-21T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://431c9cd0-a1ff-4f9a-ac41-4fca68240d88.libsyn.com/on-the-philosophy-of-simplification-in-computational-neuroscience-with-mazviita-chirimuuta-and-terrence-sejnowski-29
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/431c9cd0-a1ff-4f9a-ac41-4fca68240d88/ThN-029-FENS-Philosophy_mixdown.mp3?dest-id=4181327
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Duration seconds: 5054

## Resource

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.

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