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Quantum-like behavior of classical systems

'International Symposium on Quantum Interaction'
Filk, T. Institute for Physics,
University of Freiburg, Germany

Parmenides Foundation of the Study of Thinking,
Munich, Germany

Institute of Frontier Areas in Psychology and Mental Health,
Freiburg, Germany
2012 Physics

Bohmian mechanics is an example for a classical theory with a (Newtonian) ontology which reproduces all features of quantum mechanics. It is often used as a “classical” formulation of quantum mechanics, but in this article we invert the argument: Bohmian mechanics proves that there are classical systems which can show a quantum-like behavior; in particular, such models are able to explain non-classical probabilities.

We analyze the general structure of Bohmian-type models and argue, that neural processes related to the correlates of mental states are likely to follow a dynamics which is similar to this class of models. Therefore, it may not be too surprising that cognitive phenomena under certain circumstances show a quantum-like behavior.

The article was published in: Springer: 196-206. Proceedings of: 'International Symposium on Quantum Interaction'

Full article

This work was supported (in part) by the Fetzer Franklin Fund of the John E. Fetzer Memorial Trust.