O que é um Efeito Essencialmente Quantum Mechanical?
Revista Eletrônica Informação e Cognição (Cessada) December 31, 1969 DOI: 10.36311/1807-8281.2001.v3n1.711 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes three sufficient criteria for calling an effect quantum mechanical: wave-particle duality (or collapse), entanglement ("non-locality"), and quantum condensation of "identical" particles, with quantum field theories left as an open fourth possibility. Argues that any essential quantum effect in the brain would most likely follow the first criterion, since entanglement would be rapidly washed out by decoherence and evidence for biological condensates is weak. |
Abstract
When asking whether consciousness is an “essentially quantum effect”, one must first lay down criteria for considering an effect quantum mechanical. After a brief survey of the interpretations of quantum theory, three such sufficient criteria are proposed and examined: wave-particle duality (or collapse), entanglement (“non-locality”), and quantum condensation (involving “identical” particles). A fourth criteria could involve the use of quantum field theories, but this problem is left open. If a quantum effect played an essential role in the brain, it would probably follow the first criterion, since the entanglement of many particles would be rapidly washed out by decoherence, and there is no strong evidence for the existence of biological condensates.