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Neuroscience, quantum indeterminism and the Cartesian soul.

Peter G H Clarke1

  • 1University of Lausanne, Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.

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|December 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Quantum indeterminism, including Heisenbergian uncertainty, is unlikely to explain soul-brain interaction or free will due to its small scale and the brain's noise-resistance mechanisms. Other quantum effects remain unproven in neural function.

Keywords:
Cartesian interactionismDeterminismDualismHeisenbergian uncertaintyQuantum theorySoul

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Quantum Physics
  • Philosophy of Mind

Background:

  • Quantum indeterminism is often cited to bridge the gap between the mind (soul) and the physical brain.
  • This concept is applied in dualistic and non-dualistic theories of libertarian free will.
  • The Eccles-Beck model of synaptic exocytosis is a specific example of proposed mind-brain interaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the plausibility of using quantum indeterminism to explain soul-brain interaction.
  • To assess the role of quantum effects in theories of free will.
  • To analyze the Eccles-Beck model in light of quantum mechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Heisenbergian uncertainty's potential impact on synaptic function.
  • Evaluation of amplification mechanisms (e.g., chaos theory) for quantum effects.
  • Comparison of quantum effects with thermal noise in neural systems.

Main Results:

  • Heisenbergian uncertainty is too small to significantly influence synaptic transmission.
  • Amplification of quantum effects does not resolve the interaction problem.
  • Thermal noise in cells and neural circuits far exceeds potential quantum influences, and noise-resistance mechanisms are robust.

Conclusions:

  • Quantum indeterminism, particularly Heisenbergian uncertainty, is not a viable mechanism for soul-brain interaction or libertarian free will.
  • The brain's inherent noise-resistance effectively buffers against small quantum effects.
  • While other, larger quantum indeterminacies exist, their role in brain function is currently unsubstantiated.