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Quantum Models of Mind: Are They Compatible with Environment\n Decoherence?

Jean Faber, Luiz Pinguelli Rosa

arXiv (Cornell University) March 5, 2004 preprint DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0403051 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper
Key points Argues that the Hameroff-Penrose model is incompatible with decoherence, and proposes replacing gravitational collapse orchestrated objective reduction (orch. OR) with decoherence as the mechanism for quantum brain processes, allowing quantum mechanics to be applied to brain studies independently.

Abstract

We criticize the Hameroff Penrose model in the context of quantum brain model\nby gravitational collapse orchestrated objective reduction, orch. OR, assumed\nby Penrose, and we propose instead that the decoherence process is caused by\ninteraction with the environment. We consider it useful to exploit this\npossibility because of the growing importance of decoherence theory in quantum\nmeasurement, and also because quantum mechanics can be applied to brain study\nindependently of the Hameroff Penrose model for mind and consciousness. Our\nconclusion is that the Hameroff Penrose model is not compatible with\ndecoherence, but nevertheless quantum brain can still be considered if we\nreplace gravitational collapse orch .OR with decoherence.\n