Quantum Field Theory and Consciousness
September 7, 2007 DOI: 10.14704/nq.2005.3.3.73 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Key findings | Argues that quantum field theory, particularly through Nambu-Goldstone bosons in spontaneous symmetry breaking, offers a framework for explaining brain dynamics and memory, as proposed by Umezawa and developed by others. |
Abstract
Quantum field theory is the application of quantum mechanics to fields. It provides a theoretical framework, widely used in particle physics and condensed matter physics, in which to formulate consistent quantum theories of many-particle systems, especially in situations where particles may be created and destroyed. Jibu & Yasue were the first researchers that tried to popularize the quantum field theory of Nambu-Goldstone bosons as the one and only reliable quantum theory of fundamental macroscopic dynamics realized in the brain with which a deeper understanding of consciousness can be obtained. This theory was originated by Ricciardi & Umezawa (1967) in a general framework of the spontaneous symmetry breaking formalism, and since then developed into a quantum field theoretical framework of brain functioning called quantum brain dynamics and that of general biological cell functioning called quantum biodynamics. There, Umezawa proposed a general theory of quanta of long-range coherent waves within and between brain cells, and showed an outstanding mechanism of memory storage and retrieval in terms of Nambu-Goldstone bosons characteristic to the spontaneous symmetry breaking formalism.