The very notion of “self” – that internal voice guiding decisions, wrestling with temptation – has long been a subject of philosophical debate. But emerging research suggests that the building blocks of that self may be far more fundamental, existing not just in complex brains, but within the very molecules that constitute life. A growing body of biological simulations indicates that even simple networks of biomolecules can exhibit goal-oriented behavior and a degree of agency, challenging traditional views of life as merely passive machinery.
This isn’t to say molecules are consciously pondering choices, but rather that they behave as if they have goals and desires, altering themselves and their environment in purposeful ways. As Tom Froese, a cognitive scientist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, puts it, “The origins of agency coincide with the origins of life.” This perspective shifts the focus from viewing life as something that acquires agency to understanding agency as an inherent property of living systems.
Traditionally, agency – the capacity to act independently and make choices – has been considered a hallmark of complex organisms with developed nervous systems. However, these new simulations suggest that the seeds of agency are present at a much more basic level. Researchers are observing that networks of molecules aren’t simply pushed around by their environment; they actively work to maintain their structure and function, exhibiting a form of self-preservation. This behavior, while rudimentary, aligns with the technical definition of an “agent” – an entity with goals that it actively pursues.
The implications of this research extend beyond philosophical musings. Understanding agency at the molecular level could revolutionize how we approach health and disease. If even simple cellular components possess a degree of selfhood, it opens the door to developing treatments that work with the inherent tendencies of these systems, rather than against them. This could lead to therapies with fewer side effects, as interventions would be more finely tuned to the natural processes of the body.
The concept of “teaching molecules to think,” as some researchers are framing it, involves creating artificial systems that mimic the goal-directed behavior observed in biological molecules. By studying how these systems operate, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles underlying agency and selfhood. This research isn’t about imbuing molecules with consciousness, but rather about recognizing and harnessing the inherent capabilities they already possess.
this new understanding of selfhood may shed light on the origins of life itself. If agency is a fundamental property of living systems, it suggests that the transition from non-life to life may not have been as abrupt as previously thought. Instead, it could have been a gradual emergence of agency, starting with simple molecular networks and culminating in the complex organisms we see today.
The idea that biological systems exhibit agency isn’t entirely new. The field of neuroscience has long recognized that the brain is not simply a passive receiver of information, but an active constructor of reality. However, this research extends that concept down to the molecular level, suggesting that agency is not limited to the brain, but is a pervasive feature of life itself.
Interestingly, research in education also highlights the biological impact of learning. A study published in CBE—Life Sciences Education in 2017 explored the connections between innovative teaching techniques and neurological changes in the brain. The authors suggest that effective teaching isn’t just about imparting information, but about driving biological changes that promote learning. This reinforces the idea that learning is not a passive process, but an active transformation of the brain.
While the research on molecular agency is still in its early stages, it represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of life and consciousness. It challenges us to reconsider the boundaries between living and non-living, and to recognize the inherent agency that exists within all biological systems. As research continues, we may find that the “self” is not a unique property of complex organisms, but a fundamental aspect of life itself, present even in the simplest of molecules.
The exploration of these concepts also touches upon the realm of quantum biology, with some researchers investigating whether quantum phenomena play a role in the goal-directed behavior of molecules. While still highly speculative, this line of inquiry suggests that the principles governing the microscopic world may be more intimately connected to the emergence of life and consciousness than previously imagined. The potential for plants to unlock quantum medicine, as suggested by research at the University of Chicago, further highlights the interconnectedness of these fields.
