Quantum Mechanics of Soul-Spirit

In current main stream science the field of study related to Quantum Mechanics is to a vast degree assigned to the fields of mathematics, theoretical physical, computing and engineering. However, a growing number of researches are beginning to undertake studies that investigate the principles of quantum mechanics in relation to human brain functioning and consciousness interface. In the mid 90's the popular term Quantum Psychology began to emerge and this article will delve into few basic tenets and postulation to help the reader make their own mind.

Quantum Psychology

Quantum Psychology is a generic term describing an emerging field of study in contemporary psychology that aims to apply the principles of quantum physics and quantum mechanics to the study of brain, mind and consciousness. Recent advances in quantum biology have given a significant boost to this field. In cognitive psychology and neuroscience the investigation is centred around the study of quantum cognition, quantum brain dynamics, and quantum mind. The main purpose of this emergent research is to merge the classical bio-neurological models of the human brain with the quantum models that can additionally account for cellular brain activity, mind and consciousness[4]. Classical scientific method known as ontological dualism and empiricism relies intrinsically on the idea that objects to be measured and observed exist independently of the observer. Quantum theory, however, implies that the observer and the observed phenomena are innately linked and comprise a highly sophisticated symbiotic and mutually influential system[5][6][7]. The term Quantum Psychology has been in circulation since early 90's and appeared in books written by DeBerry[8] (1993) and Wilson[9] (1990). It has been widely used by Amit Goswami[10] (2012), an American theoretical nuclear physicist and author, the founder of the centre for Quantum Activism[11].

Background

The emergence of quantum field theories, known as Quantum Physics and Quantum Mechanics, not only revolutionised the classical Newtonian physics, but have become its fundamental theory. The applications of the quantum theory are being widely utilised in modern sciences, technologies, research, medicine and economy. Quantum theory[12] seeks to explain behaviour of matter and energy at its smallest subatomic scales. It posits that at its fundamental subatomic level matter particles exist solely as waves of probabilities and acquire material properties only after the act of observation by an independent observer[13][4][5]. Quantum physics terminology describes this phenomenon as the observer effect or collapse of the wave function[14][13]. In the fields of cognitive and behavioural psychology the quantum paradigm offers a complementary theoretical framework in which the individual observer and his/her phenomenological experiences represent a highly complex unified and mutually interactive feedback system[6][5][7]. In the field of neuroscience it provides an alternative experimental model in which neuronal brain mechanisms can be studied and analysed.[15][16]

Quantum Models and the Brain

The quantum brain model subsequently termed Quantum Brain Dynamics was originally conceived by Umezawa (1967) during 1960's and was based on the work of Karl Lashley.[17] [18] (1942). In his theory of mass action Lashley[18] (1942) proposed that memory storage and retrieval is not entirely a localised process and that flexible mechanisms of distributed processing serve as a more accurate description.[19] Lashley noted that the idea of specialised connectivity of the nervous system cannot explain the “masses of excitation... within general fields of activity, without regard to particular nerve cells”.[20] [21] The idea was further developed by Karl Pribram (1991) and led him to formulate holographic hypothesis of brain function.[22][21] Using holographic mathematics and computational modelling, Pribram based his research on paralleling global neural activity of brain cells with the wave patterns produced in holograms[20][22][19]. Modern theories investigating quantum brain dynamics can be classified into two principle areas of research (1) holographic brain theories, for example, the theory of Holographic Human Memory (Takaaki, 2012)[23] and (2) theories exploring the existence of quantum correlates in the brain's activity and function, for example, the theory of Synaptic Quantum Tunnelling in Brain Activity [24][25] (Beck, 2008), Dissipative Quantum model of brain[26][27] (Pessa and Vitiello, 2003), and the The Orch-OR (Objective reduction in microtubules - Orchestrated) theory[28][25](Hameroff and Penrose,1996).

Quantum Models and Cognition

Quantum Cognition is a growing field in psychological research and focuses on applying purely mathematical principles of quantum mechanics to human perception, judgement, reasoning, memory and cognition. The theory seeks to apply probabilistic models of quantum theory whilst investigating human decision making and judgement. In the article 'Quantum Cognition: a new theoretical approach to psychology' Busemeyer et al (2012)[29] proposes two complementary approaches in computing probabilistic models of cognition: classical and quantum. Busemeyer[29] further asserts that the quantum probabilistic model becomes necessitated when 'incompatible events are involved'[29] during the execution of decision making. This results in a state of uncertainty or superposition with subsequent violation of the laws of classical probability theory, thus quantum probability may provide a more comprehensive framework that can account for such violations.[29] Other areas of quantum cognition research include investigating human thought and existing theories on concept combination. In the article Quantum Structure in Cognition[30] Aerts (2009) introduces the two-layer structure for human thought: classical logical and quantum conceptual, and further asserts that the way in which concepts combine and carry meaning is suggestive of quantum effects in cognition.

Quantum Models of Mind and Consciousness

Unconscious processes[edit] Principles of quantum theory including complementarity, uncertainty principle[31] and quantum field theory are being applied in the study of unconscious processes[31][4], decision making and free will[32][33]. The study of unconscious processes focuses on examining complementarity and uncertainty within the two states. Examples of complementarity are being observed between mind and matter or Jung's psychological types with complementary pairs of thinking and feeling and intuition and perception (Atmanspacher, 2001)[31]. Uncertainty principle operating in thought has been noted by David Bohm (1980) [34] [4]. Marcel's (1980)[35] in his Non-selective theory postulated that unconscious processes 'automatically redescribe sensory data...to the highest levels of description available...', and that the role of the conscious is to to 'structure and synthesise that information recovered from different domains'.[35] Rumelhart (1986)[36]further developed Marcel's ideas and proposed Parallel Processing theory stating that multiple layers of information are processed simultaneously with feedback included.[36][4]The data may be suggestive of the complementarity principle, coherent superposition and Implicate and Explicate Order theory[37] operating in human psyche.

Decisions Making and Free Will

Quantum Field theory posits that quantum fields do not exist in space-time like Newtonian physics fields. Instead quantum fields rest in the state of probability and exist outside the boundary of space time.[38] The theory may be suggestive of decision making process that is initiated in the quantum filed (the level of unconscious) outside the boundary of conscious awareness. Libet (1999)[32]conducted a series of experiments that provided ample evidence in favour of unconscious nature of volitional acts. The experiments confirmed that although the conscious awareness to act presents after it has been initiated in the unconscious, the conscious agency can still 'veto' the act prior to its execution. Further studies conducted by Haynes and his team (2008)[33] confirm perceptual delay in decision-making and report that the 'outcome of a decision can be encoded in brain activity of prefrontal and parietal cortex up to 10 s before it enters awareness.' Haynes at ell (2008).[33]

Mind and Consciousness

The study of mind and consciousness have been a subject of controversy for nearly a century. Advances in neuroscience continue to provide valuable data on the neural correlates for consciousness. Temporo-spatial theory of consciousnesses (TTC)[39] is one such example, however, little is known about the mechanisms of the emergence of Self and highly subjective experiences it generates.[40] In recent years theories relating to quantum correlates of consciousness and mind have been steadily emerging. Hameroff and Penrose (1996)[41] in the Orch-OR theory propose that the basic carriers for consciousnesses in the brain are not neurons, but the microtubules and can account for quantum phenomena of superposition and entanglement.[41][25] Hu and Wu (2004)[42] in their Spin mediated consciousness theory postulate that quantum spin forms a link between mind, consciousness and brain[42][25]. The spins are termedmind pixels and form a network of quantum entanglement resulting in the unity of consciousness. Henry Stapp (2005) proposes the definite role of the conscious observer and calls for inclusion of quantum model in neuroscience and psychology.[43]

Conclusion

The emerging field of quantum psychology is slowly gathering momentum, however mathematical and conceptual complexity of quantum theory poses challenges for the scientific community. Quantum theory requires a radical departure from ontological dualism view of reality, however majority of scientific community still operate within the framework of reductive materialism. A wide range of sciences such as biology, chemistry, medicine, engineering, economics and computer sciences have already found application of quantum theory, however, neuroscience and psychology have been slow on the integration process. The hard problem of consciousness, theory of mind and mind body, behavioural and cognitive theories continue to operate within the dualistic framework, ignoring the discoveries of quantum physics.

References

‎