Quantum Models of Mind: Are They Compatible with Environment Decoherence?
arXiv Preprint Archive – March 05, 2004
Source: arXiv
Summary
Can quantum physics explain consciousness? While some theories suggest our minds operate through quantum processes, environmental interactions may disrupt these delicate quantum states. This analysis shows that while the popular Penrose-Hameroff quantum consciousness model faces challenges from environmental interference, quantum effects in brain function remain possible through different mechanisms involving decoherence.
Abstract
We criticize the Hameroff Penrose model in the context of quantum brain model by gravitational collapse orchestrated objective reduction, orch. OR, assumed by Penrose, and we propose instead that the decoherence process is caused by interaction with the environment. We consider it useful to exploit this possibility because of the growing importance of decoherence theory in quantum measurement, and also because quantum mechanics can be applied to brain study independently of the Hameroff Penrose model for mind and consciousness. Our conclusion is that the Hameroff Penrose model is not compatible with decoherence, but nevertheless quantum brain can still be considered if we replace gravitational collapse orch .OR with decoherence.