Skip Channel4 main Navigation
Ask An Expert: Your Questions & Answers
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7Question 1
Is the human mind quantum based?
Prof Pethica: In the obvious sense that the brain is made up of matter which is governed by quantum processes, and the mind is believed to be associated with the brain (i.e. scientific evidence of mind without brain is rather weak) then yes.
However, it is worth recalling that complex dynamical systems can have randomness and uncertainty (chaos) as a property, without requiring quantum processes. The quantum uncertainty just increases this. Very complex systems, such as the >10 billion neurons in the brain, can have surprising and unexpected properties (often called emergent properties) which are not at all apparent from the properties of the individual components. This is a very interesting and challenging area of science and technology.
However, it is worth recalling that complex dynamical systems can have randomness and uncertainty (chaos) as a property, without requiring quantum processes. The quantum uncertainty just increases this. Very complex systems, such as the >10 billion neurons in the brain, can have surprising and unexpected properties (often called emergent properties) which are not at all apparent from the properties of the individual components. This is a very interesting and challenging area of science and technology.
Subscribe to C4 Science homepage
