Is there a computable algorithm for quantum decoherence?

Question

This is R&S, because this issue is directly related to questions about the nature of human consciousness and its relation to the brain.

If there isn't, and the brain functions as an amplifier for quantum indeterminacy, then how can anyone maintain that human consciousness is simply an epiphenomenon of a mechanistically construed brain function?

Answer 1

If you really want to know whether the brain algorithm requires a quantum computer rather than a classical one you should have asked that in the first place.

Based on a calculation of neural decoherence rates, the degrees of freedom of the human brain that relate to cognitive processes should be thought of as a classical rather than quantum system. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the current classical approach to neural network simulations. The decoherence timescales 10^ -13 to 10^ -20 seconds are typically much shorter than the relevant dynamical timescales (0.001 to 0.1 seconds), both for regular neuron firing and for kink-like polarization excitations in microtubules in the brain.

In other words the brain is simply much too hot for the brain to be a quantum computer. Decoherence happens far too quickly for the brain to avail itself of quantum computation.

Answer 2

At this time a computable algorithm has not be found. That would be comparable to trying to prove the "Theory of everything" - by einstein. We are still into the M theory and how the branes are created. I believe that upon separation of the branes after collision there might be such a thing, but it has not been proven. Try asking in the physics section.

Answer 3

This is all easily understandable if one considers the actual scale of the components of an atom. If one takes into account the fact that the neutrons, protons and electrons of an atom actually have huge spaces between them it becomes clear that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are made up of 99+ percent empty space.

This alone does not seem too important till you add the idea that the atoms that make up seemingly solid objects are more of a loose conglomeration that share a similar attraction but never really touch each other.

At first glance this does not really seem relevant, but closer analysis reveals that this adds a tremendous amount of empty space to solid objects that are already made up of atoms that are 99 percent space. When so-called solid objects are seen in this light it becomes apparent that they can in no way be the seemingly solid objects they appear to be.

We ourselves are not exceptions to this phenomenon.

These seemingly solid objects are more like ghostly images that we interpret as solid objects based on our perceptual conclusions.

From this we must conclude that Perception is some sort of a trick that helps us to take these ghostly images and turn them into a world we can associate and interact with. This clever device seems to be a creation of our intellect that enables us to interact with each other in what appears to be a three dimensional reality.

I hope that answered your question.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 4

Since the theory of decoherence is the study of spontaneous interactions between a system and its environment that lead to such suppression of interference. I would say that there can be no computable algorithm.

Answer 5

We really are straying a little far from R&S here.......

Edit:

And this is related to the problem of Free Will, not in the religious sense but the Philosophical sense, and I doubt we can even scratch the surface in a forum such as this.

Answer 6

Only if the sub-trigonometric stereoisomers are taken into account.

Answer 7

Yes there is.

If your mind can think it. The possibility of its existence is relatively high.

Answer 8

yes, but there is no one intelligent enough for me to share it with, so I'll just keep it to myself.

Answer 9

You know there isn't.

Ask it in physics.

Answer 10

Bored, are we?