Neuroscience Beyond Neurons in the Diverse Intelligence Era | Michael Levin & Robert Chis-Ciure

From Mind-Body Solution by Mind-Body Solution

January 23, 2026 · 1h 28m · Episode 107

About this episode

This episode challenges the assumption that cognition and intelligence are exclusive to brains and neurons, exploring alternative forms of intelligence in living systems.

What if neurons aren’t the foundation of mind? In this Mind-Body Solution Colloquia, Michael Levin and Robert Chis-Ciure challenge one of neuroscience’s deepest assumptions: that cognition and intelligence are exclusive to brains and neurons.Drawing on cutting-edge work in bioelectricity, developmental biology, and philosophy of mind, this conversation explores how cells, tissues, and living systems exhibit goal-directed behavior, memory, and problem-solving — long before neurons ever appear.We explore: • Cognition without neurons• Bioelectric networks as control systems• Memory and learning beyond synapses• Morphogenesis as collective intelligence• Implications for AI, consciousness, and ethicsThis episode pushes neuroscience beyond the neuron, toward a deeper understanding of mind, life, and intelligence as continuous across scales.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Introduction: Why Neuroscience Must Go Beyond Neurons3:12 – The Central Claim: Cognition Is Not Exclusive to Brains7:05 – Defining Cognition, Intelligence, and Agency Without Neurons11:02 – Bioelectricity as a Control Layer for Morphogenesis15:08 – Cells as Problem-Solvers: Goals, Memory, and Error Correction19:41 – The Body as a…

People in this episode

Host: Mind-Body Solution

Guests: Michael Levin, Robert Chis-Ciure

Topics covered

neuroscience
cognition
bioelectricity
intelligence
philosophy of mind
developmental biology

Keywords

neurons
cognition
bioelectric networks
memory
problem-solving
collective intelligence
AI
consciousness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mind-Body Solution