Active Evolutionary Theory: Overcoming Gene-Centric Darwinism through Active Inference, Frontal Inhibitory Control, and Epigenetic Semiosis

This paper proposes Active Evolutionary Theory, a theoretical meta-evolutionary framework that integrates Active Inference, Frontal Inhibitory Control, and Epigenetic Semiosis to extend beyond selected conceptual constraints of strongly gene-centric accounts of evolution and purely passive formulations of natural selection. Some strongly gene-centric interpretations emphasize genetic selection to a degree that can understate the active role of organisms in modifying developmental and selective environments. In species such as humans, relatively low genetic diversity can coexist with substantial ecological niche overlap; under conditions of severe resource limitation, such overlap may intensify intraspecific competition and contribute to resource depletion or population instability. Insights from the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) and Niche Construction Theory demonstrate that organisms actively reconfigure their environments, exerting reciprocal causation on evolutionary dynamics. We elucidate the neuro-semiotic mechanism underlying this agency: Interoceptive Prediction Errors generate bodily pain/error, Frontal Inhibitory Control halts immediate stimulus-response circuits (aligning with Whitehead’s Negative Prehension), and Semiotic Niche Construction shifts resource reliance to symbolic domains, epigenetically remodeling gene expression via CTRA pathways (termed Semiogenetics). This expands mechanical materialism into a Non-reductive Active Materialism, positioning the subject as Homo Semioticus.