Evolution has been marked by a small number of major transitions that explain the emergence of new structures. This idea has been applied to both individuality and cognition. In both cases, a transition changes the system undergoing the transition; hence, there is a difference in forms on either side of a transitional boundary. Most of the transitions proposed for cognition and individuality have resulted in more complex forms. However, it is unclear what criteria ought to be used to assess whether a transition has occurred.
This project will examine how and why complexity in forms increases across major transitions. We will analyze transitions in cognition and individuality to determine whether we can extract any general principles. In particular, we will assess the idea that all levels of organization are composed of agents with agendas and the implications of this proposed unificatory principle for evolutionary transitions in both individuality and cognition. We will then appraise, using social bees as an example, cases that can be defined as a transition in both individuality and cognition. What is to be gained—from understanding such a transition from a cognitive or an individuality perspective? We anticipate our results to provide the conceptual resources to connect otherwise largely independent literatures and gain mutual insights into major transitions, agency and individuality.
