Theoretical Physics and Theoretical Neuroscience: What Each Can Learn from the Other

Abstract This interview with Larry Abbott, a distinguished physicist who made his way from theoretical particle physics to neuroscience, explores similarities and differences between the theoretical scaffoldings of physics and biology and the respective modelling practices. Abbott reflects on the philosophical underpinnings and practical challenges of both fields, emphasising the role of mathematical modelling in understanding complex systems. He discusses the status and the unifying role of the Standard Model in physics, compares it to the theoretical framework at the basis of neuroscience, and addresses the sociological and methodological shifts required when applying physical principles to biological phenomena. The conversation also delves into the impact of recent advances in artificial intelligence on the theory of the brain, probing whether these technological developments enhance our understanding of intelligence and consciousness.