Ok, I was wondering when you would get around to the quantum nature of matter.

Posted by SeeJay on August 04, 1998 at 21:00:28:

In Reply to: Here's a start... posted by Jason on August 04, 1998 at 20:02:16:

I am not sure you are correct about there being a finite number of quantum states. Doesn't this depend upon which particular formulation of the wave function you are using, and the presuppositions of those theories? I didn't think the matter was at all settled. For example, superstring cosmological theories postulate an infinite number of superposed realities at the time of the big bang (or so my reading goes).

Three important things about quantum mechanics as known to modern science and which bear upon the nature of the mind in a reductionist universe:

1. Quantum perturbations are seemingly random. Not much room for free will there, which seems to have a decisive and directed character.

2. The collapse of the wave function is only known to occur in the presence of a conscious observer (a la Schrodinger's cat). This begs the question, therefore, what is a conscious observer? There are many theories addressing this problem but none are conclusive.

3. Subatomic particles appear to be able to "communicate" faster than the speed of light; namely, take a particle and an anti-particle and separate them by space. If we induce a specific spin in one particle, the other instantly obtains the opposite spin. This supra-light property of quanta may well be the seat of consciousness if the neuron can be determined to be some kind of "quantum engine" which can tap this amazing property of quantum mechanics.

Don't get me wrong -- I am not a christian/religious type, but I am not atheist either. The reason I am not atheist is that I believe there is no adequate explanation for the mind in terms of the physical laws, even including quantum physics. Therefore, the question of a god being the source of human consciousness is an open one.

You say: "... we have a only a glimmer of an idea of how the brain makes a mind, we can be sure that the brain can be exhaustively described by its quantum states." Well, this may be true, but it is hardly helpful whilst we are still grappling with Heisenberg's uncertainty principle etc.

In other words, you are saying exactly the same kind of thing as a deist; namely "The mind can be explained in terms of X". Substitute for X any phenomenon for which we have no adequate explanation eg. god, or quantum indeterminacy.

You have hopes science will ultimately explain the nature of the mind. So do I. But to claim that there is any certainty about the issue, even on such minor points such as neurophysiology, it to perpetrate a falsehood.

Anyway, that's my opinion.

Regards ----- SeeJay