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Michael Levin
Biologist: bioelectricity, basal cognition and diverse intelligence
Who they are, and what we talked about
Michael Levin is a developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University, where he directs the Allen Discovery Center. His laboratory studies how cells and tissues use electrical signalling to coordinate form and behaviour, and he uses that work to ask where intelligence begins and what other kinds of minds might exist.
He has appeared five times. The conversations cover bioelectrical intelligence and how cells solve problems (2022), the field of diverse intelligence and the idea of cognitive light cones (2023), the concept of synthbiosis (2024), a first joint conversation with anthropologist Terrence Deacon on life and the origin of purpose (2025), and a colloquium with Robert Chis-Ciure on whether cognition belongs only to neurons (2026).
Topics
Written by Mind-Body Solution from the episode show notes. Guests speak for themselves, and their views are their own. Read the full disclaimer.
Episodes with Dr Naidu
In date order, so you can follow how the conversation developed.
22 March 2022
What Is Bioelectrical Intelligence? Technological Approach To Minds Everywhere
Length 1 hr 16 min
In this conversation: How Mike's work changed biology; Electrical signals as information carriers; Defining intelligence.
19 August 2023
What Is The Field Of Diverse Intelligence (DI)? All Possible Intelligent Agents
Length 1 hr 56 min
In this conversation: – Introduction; – The Prisoner’s Dilemma (Game Theory applied to Life); – Computational Boundary of the Self.
26 June 2024
What is Synthbiosis? Diverse Intelligence Beyond AI & The Space of Possible Minds
Length 1 hr 26 min
In this conversation: Creating High-level General Intelligences; Ethical implications of Diverse Intelligence beyond AI & LLMs; Solving the Fundamental Paradox that faces all Species.
9 May 2025
What is Life? Complexity, Cognition & the Origin of Purpose
Length 1 hr 30 min
In this conversation: Mike on Terry's work; Terry on Mike's work; Mike & Terry on Daniel Dennett's work.
23 January 2026
Neuroscience Beyond Neurons in the Diverse Intelligence Era
Length 1 hr 28 min
In this conversation: The Central Claim: Cognition Is Not Exclusive to Brains; Defining Cognition, Intelligence, and Agency Without Neurons; Bioelectricity as a Control Layer for Morphogenesis.