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It's very silly, and seems like a sad effort to shoehorn dualism back into science. But if the human brain is quantum-magical, kindly point out empirically how
by gary_0 4y ago
It's very silly, and seems like a sad effort to shoehorn dualism back into science. But if the human brain is quantum-magical, kindly point out empirically how its mechanisms are special versus that of any other mammal's brain, or any reptile's, or any nematode worm's.
Quantum mechanics is only involved as much as it is for any other form of chemistry. There is no ghost in any kind of meat.
- dekhn 4y agoTo be fair, quantum magic could have evolved after the human lineage forked off from the root that includes other mammals. IE, some magic gene duplication shortly after humans and neaderthals split from their common ancestor, then one copy evolved a slightly different structure that allowed neurons to exploit quantum magic. This seems implausible, nor would I place the root around the human lineage; might as well assume that all animals, or really anything with a neuron, is capable of this. Otherwise, we'd be able to isolate the factor (a gene that produces a protein).
- pencilguin 4y agoYes, this is what is silly. That is not to say it's impossible that we, uniquely, possess the consciousness gene. Possession by demons is technically possible, too, and equally silly.
- gary_0 4y agoIt's also silly because if it's a gene, then it's just using conventional chemistry to produce an effect. Plants have genes to make chloroplasts that use quantum effects[0] to efficiently do photosynthesis, but nobody is arguing the mechanism is some sort of special woo-woo science. And you can use the same tricks in a machine[1]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis#Efficiency https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis#Efficiency [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_photosynthesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_photosynthesis
- dekhn 4y agoUh, yeah, when photosynthesis was first shown to exploit quantum it was called special woo-woo science. But it just exploits coherence, which is the one thing that seemed within reach of enzymes.
- achrono 4y agoDualism, yes, but silly -- maybe not. Yes, it's obvious that brains are made up of their chemistry, but this is not (just) about the human brain or even necessarily any brain. We haven't been able to draw a line for consciousness in the spectrum of complexity of life forms.
- etse 4y agoDid you even read the article?
- pencilguin 4y agoI read Continue reading Subscribe today with a 12-week introductory offer