On 2008-01-06, ChrisK
Brandon S. Allbery KF8NH wrote:
On Jan 6, 2008, at 15:02 , Ketil Malde wrote:
More seriously, perhaps "quantum" enters into the equation in how the brain works, perhaps it is even necessary for "thought". However, I get worried it's just another mystical mantra, a gratuitous factor that, lacking any theory about how and what it does, adds nothing to help understanding the issue.
The brain, being real, is best modeled by a final theory that physicists have not yet (noticed) written down.
"how the brain works" appears to be though electro- and bio- chemistry, which are best modeled/described right now by quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics models these, but for most domains it's a substrate that is unnecessary -- modeling at the level of chemistry works.
There are observable quantum correlations that cannot be described by a "classical" theory.
Not in the brain. It's *way* too warm and squishy.
So long as the processes you care about (e.g. whatever the hell consciousness is) do not use these non-classical correlations then you can create a simplified model that avoids the complexity of quantum theory.
Right. -- Aaron Denney -><-