From Autopoiesis to Symbiotic Entanglement: Rethinking Enactivism Through Metabolism and Microbes
Adaptive Behavior December 9, 2025 Jack Reynolds, Jan Baedke
Enactivism, a theory that emphasizes the role of the organism's actions in shaping its cognition, has been criticized for relying on outdated science or philosophical speculation. This paper uses recent findings from metabolism and microbiome research to argue that enactivism must update its core concepts. The evidence shows that biological processes like metabolism and interactions between hosts and their microbes are characterized by heteronomy and symbiosis, challenging enactivist ideas of self-production and autonomy. Additionally, this research suggests enactivism should not entirely reject reductionist explanations but instead develop a philosophy of science that integrates them. The authors conclude that enactivism needs to moderate its commitments to autopoietic theory to remain viable.