Discussion: Agency from Plants to Animals to Brains

What does it mean to be an "agent"? Is agency a binary switch that only flipped with the arrival of the human brain, or is it a biological spectrum that begins with the simplest cellular signals? Join us for an open, interdisciplinary discussion as we trace the evolution of "doing" across the natural world.
In this session, we’ll explore questions like:

• The Green Agent: Do plant root systems and phototropism represent a form of decentralized agency, or are they merely complex mechanisms?
• Animal Intent: At what point does biological instinct transition into genuine goal-directed decision-making?
• The Neural Leap: How do complex brains transform sensory input into the subjective experience of "will" and autonomy?
• Cross-Domain Lessons: What can the way a slime mold solves a maze teach us about our own cognitive architectures?

What to expect: This is a collaborative discussion. Whether you’re coming from a background in evolutionary biology, philosophy of mind, AI, or are just a curious observer of the natural world, your perspective is welcome. We’ll start with a brief overview of the "agency continuum" before opening the floor for a group-led conversation.
No formal expertise is required—just a passion for deep questions and diverse perspectives!