Extended Mind Thesis and Quantum Cognition

The Extended Mind Thesis proposes that mental states are not confined to the brain but are realized in extended physical systems. This paper argues that classical computation cannot model such extension and instead requires a quantum mechanical description of cognition. The author develops a computational model based on quantum information processing, focusing on probabilistic relationships among information processing units via reversible local operations on data bits. Three classes of memory storage are formulated, incorporating arbitrary permutations during reversible computations that act locally and nonlocally on input data bits and encode initial correlations among separate memory elements. Implications of the work are discussed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The Extended Mind Thesis holds that mental states are realized in extended physical systems and are not identical with processes occurring inside the brain. A central question raised by this hypothesis is how to model cognition within this extended framework. Here I propose that classical computation can't explain this extension and one rather needs a quantum mechanical description of cognition to help solve the Extended Minds Problem. I develop a computational model of the relationship between quantum information processing and cognition. In particular, I focus on a ramification of Quantum Cognition representing probabilistic relationships amongst information processing units associated directly through reversible local operations performed on data bits. Based on this, I formulate three classes of memory storage incorporating arbitrary permutations allowed during reversible computations which occur both locally as well as nonlocally and act upon inputted data bits and encode initial correlations amongst separate memory elements existing before computation occurred. In conclusion, I dicuss various implications of my work.