dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaDecoherence, Quantum Zeno Effect, and the Efficacy of Mental Effort
| Authors | Henry P. Stapp |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | quant-ph/0003065 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0003065 |
Abstract
Recent theoretical and experimental papers support the prevailing opinion that large warm systems will rapidly lose quantum coherence, and that classical properties will emerge. This rapid loss of coherence would naturally be expected to block any critical role for quantum theory in explaining the interaction between our conscious experiences and the physical activities of our brains. However, there is a quantum theory of mind in which the efficacy of mental effort is not affected by decoherence effects. In this theory the effects of mental action on brain activity is achieved by a Quantum Zeno Effect that is not weakened by decoherence. The theory is based on a relativistic version of von Neumann's quantum theory. It encompasses all the predictions of Copenhagen quantum theory, which include all the validated predictions of classical physical theory. In addition, it forges two-way dynamical links between the physical and experiential aspects of nature. The theory has significant explanatory power.
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"abstract": "Recent theoretical and experimental papers support the prevailing opinion\nthat large warm systems will rapidly lose quantum coherence, and that classical\nproperties will emerge. This rapid loss of coherence would naturally be\nexpected to block any critical role for quantum theory in explaining the\ninteraction between our conscious experiences and the physical activities of\nour brains. However, there is a quantum theory of mind in which the efficacy of\nmental effort is not affected by decoherence effects. In this theory the\neffects of mental action on brain activity is achieved by a Quantum Zeno Effect\nthat is not weakened by decoherence. The theory is based on a relativistic\nversion of von Neumann\u0027s quantum theory. It encompasses all the predictions of\nCopenhagen quantum theory, which include all the validated predictions of\nclassical physical theory. In addition, it forges two-way dynamical links\nbetween the physical and experiential aspects of nature. The theory has\nsignificant explanatory power.",
"arxiv_id": "quant-ph/0003065",
"authors": [
"Henry P. Stapp"
],
"categories": [
"quant-ph"
],
"title": "Decoherence, Quantum Zeno Effect, and the Efficacy of Mental Effort",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0003065"
},
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